Community Cat Program

Bayou Animal Services is committed to reducing the number of homeless cats in our community through responsible, humane population management.

Our Community Cat Program utilizes Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) practices to address outdoor cat populations while improving the health and welfare of the cats themselves.

Community cats are outdoor cats that may be feral, semi-feral, or unsocialized to people. These cats often live in established colonies and are not suitable for traditional adoption. Through TNVR, cats are humanely trapped, sterilized, vaccinated against rabies, ear tipped for identification, and returned to their original location where they can continue living without contributing to population growth.

This approach helps:

• Reduce unwanted litters
• Improve the health of outdoor cats
• Reduce nuisance behaviors associated with mating
• Decrease shelter intake
• Stabilize colony populations
• Improve public health through rabies vaccination

How Bayou Animal Services Can Help

Bayou Animal Services works with community cat caretakers and residents to provide resources and support, including:

• Community Cat Program registration
• Humane trap loans
• Spay and neuter resources
• Rabies vaccination resources
• Colony management guidance
• Identification of adoptable cats and kittens
• Education regarding responsible community cat care

Whenever possible, friendly and adoptable cats or kittens identified during trapping efforts may be evaluated for placement into adoption programs or rescue partnerships.

Community Cat Caretaker Responsibilities

Community cat caretakers play an important role in the success of this program.

Caretakers are expected to:

• Provide regular food and water
• Monitor colony health
• Work toward sterilization of all cats within the colony
• Report injured or sick cats
• Maintain feeding areas in a clean and sanitary manner
• Remove food when not actively feeding to reduce wildlife activity
• Participate in responsible colony management

Community cats require ongoing care and oversight. Feeding without population management often results in increased suffering, disease transmission, and colony growth.

Program Registration

Residents interested in participating in the Community Cat Program must complete a Community Cat Program Application.

This application allows Bayou Animal Services to better understand the colony, identify available resources, and provide assistance when appropriate.

Community Cat Program Application:

https://new.shelterluv.com/form/cat/BAS/26883-community-cat-keeper

Trap Loan Program

Humane traps are available through Bayou Animal Services for approved participants.

Individuals requesting the use of a trap must complete a Trap Use Agreement and comply with all trapping guidelines.

Trap Use Agreement:

https://new.shelterluv.com/form/cat/BAS/173215-tnr-trap-use-agreement

Please note:

• Traps remain the property of Bayou Animal Services.
• Trapped animals must never be left unattended.
• Traps must be returned by the agreed-upon date.
• Relocation of community cats is not permitted without approval.

Questions?

For questions regarding community cats, colony management, trap loans, or program participation, please contact Bayou Animal Services at 281-337-3117.

Together, we can reduce suffering, improve public health, and create a more humane future for the community cats of Dickinson.