Our focus is on overlooked and at-risk animals. No egos or politics in animal rescue...Only Kindness
04/21/2025
FAQ: If you don't feed cats, wont they just go away?
Sadly, that’s not the case. In fact, it can make the situation worse for both the cats and the community. Here’s why:
1️⃣ It Doesn’t Make Cats Disappear: Community cats don’t simply vanish when food is withheld. Withholding food increases the disance they roam. Cats are territorial and increased roaming increases cat conflicts, nuisance complaints and the spread of potential diseases. They may become more desperate and turn to scavenging in trash, causing more disruption, and increases the predation of birds.
2️⃣ It Can Increase Suffering: Not providing food or proper care can lead to malnutrition, illness, and stress for the cats. When we choose not to feed them, we’re not solving the problem—we’re just allowing them to suffer.
3️⃣ It's Anti-Compassionate: By not feeding them, we’re punishing the kindness of those in our community who are trying to help. Ignoring their basic needs means missing an opportunity to harbor compassion, kindness and responsibility in our community.
🐾 What You Can Do Instead:🐾
If you care about helping community - cats and people, here are some responsible and compassionate practices to follow:
✔️ SPAY & NEUTER: Feed them and FIX THEM. The most effective and humane way to manage cat populations is to spay and neuter.
✔️ Provide Discrete & Safe Feeding Locations: If you choose to feed, set up a discrete, safe, quiet space where you can leave food and water at specific times. Always try to feed away from areas with high traffic to avoid drawing attention from passersby and reduce vehicle fatalities.
✔️ Keep the Area Clean: Always clean up after feeding. Remove food bowls and dispose of waste properly to avoid attracting pests, insects, or other animals. The number one complaint we receive from property owners and municipalities is trashy and unsightly cat feeding areas. Often, this trash isnt from feeding the cats but it’s imperative to keep the area clean.
✔️ Don't Overfeed: Avoid excessive feeding, as this can lead to leftover food attracting unwanted pests and can increase unwanted interactions with wildlife like raccoons, possums, skunks or birds. A small amount of food (1/2-1 cup dry kibble per adult cat) is sufficient, and feeding only once or twice a day is enough to help the cats.
✔️ Feed Only Dry or Canned Cat Food, Not Leftovers: To keep the area tidy and avoid attracting pests, feed community cats high-quality dry kibble or canned food specifically made for cats. Avoid feeding them human leftovers, as it can attract other animals and isn't always nutritious for cats.
✔️ Be Consistent: Feed at regular times each day to establish a routine. Cats are creatures of habit and appreciate consistency, which can help them feel secure while minimizing food left out for too long, attracting pests and other animals.
By acting responsibly and with compassion, we can improve the health and wellness of all lives in our community- cats and people! While keeping our neighborhoods clean and peaceful for everyone. 🐾❤️
