08/07/2026
🍽️ What you feed a community cat matters... and so does where you feed them.
Many people see an outdoor cat and naturally want to help by putting out food. The compassion behind that gesture is wonderful, but how you do it can make a big difference.
A high-quality, nutritionally balanced cat food helps community cats maintain a healthy weight, supports their immune system, and gives them the energy they need to survive. Fresh, clean water is just as important, especially during hot weather and freezing temperatures.
But there's another side to feeding that many people don't realize...
🐾 Please don't feed a managed colony without speaking to the caretaker first.
A managed colony usually has someone who feeds on a schedule, monitors each cat's health, notices when a newcomer arrives, knows which cats still need to be trapped for TNR, and can quickly recognize when a cat goes missing or isn't feeling well.
When others begin feeding the colony:
❌ Extra food left out can attract wildlife, insects, and rodents.
❌ Cats may stop showing up during trapping efforts, making TNR much more difficult.
❌ The caretaker can no longer accurately monitor who is eating and who may be sick.
❌ Feeding at random times can disrupt the routine the cats have learned.
If you'd like to help a community cat colony, the best thing you can do is connect with the caretaker or organization helping the colony. They may welcome donations of food, help with veterinary costs, assistance trapping, or even an extra set of hands.
Helping isn't just about putting food down. It's about working together to keep cats healthy while supporting the people who care for them every single day.
*Picture of what the morning feeder found at her location, from local trapper and caretaker, Kim! 🫶🏼