Alley Cat Allies

Posted by Jennifer Copley Jul 7, 2008

Most feral cats are the offspring of abandoned or lost domestic cats. Each year, more feral cats are murdered in the United States than die from natural causes, and most of these killings are perpetrated by animal control authorities. This system is based on the fact that it was once dogs, rather than cats, that made up the bulk of the feral population. Due to their larger size and strength, dogs represented a significant threat to people. The population of stray cats now far surpasses that of dogs, but the animal control system has not kept pace with the shift in the stray population.

Alley Cat Allies (ACA) provides support, education and guidance for the implementation of humane alternatives to killing, and has assisted in the creation of a number of grassroots initiatives for the humane management of feral cat colonies that have become models for other cities to emulate. The organization advocates for Trap-Neuter-Return programs to reduce feral cat populations without resorting to killing, and works with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s No More Homeless Pets campaign to find homes for kittens and provide a safety net for homeless cats. ACA is credited with saving the lives of tens of thousands of feral cats in the United States, as well as ensuring that they receive appropriate care and management.

ACA also conducts outreach, attending conferences across North America and Central Europe as part of a broader animal protection strategy. For feral cat news, information on helping feral cats in your area, and Community Cats workshops, visit Alley Cat Allies. There are many feral cat organizations in places other than the United States, including Canada, China, the UK, Mexico and many other countries. See the ACA Resource Center for feral cat organizations in your area.