07/29/2026
Yes 🐾
🐱 Feeding community cats? Let’s talk about good feeding habits.
This photo is an example of what not to do.
Dumping piles of food directly onto sidewalks or concrete can create several problems:
🐾 Cats can suffer severe dental injuries from repeatedly eating off hard, rough concrete surfaces.
🪳 Leftover food attracts insects and wildlife.
🏘️ Food scattered across sidewalks often leads to nuisance complaints from neighbors.
🗑️ Leaving behind paper plates, bowls, or other disposable items is littering.
⏰ Most importantly, free-feeding can interfere with TNVR efforts.
Just the other night, we almost missed trapping cats because someone had left food out before trapping. Thankfully, everything worked out—but those surgery appointments could have been wasted. As everyone knows, spay/neuter appointments are in short supply, and every one counts.
Instead:
✅ Feed at the same time each day.
✅ Feed on a tray, mat, piece of cardboard, or shallow dish that can be picked up afterward.
✅ Remove leftover food after 20–30 minutes.
✅ Clean up the area before you leave.
✅ Be a good neighbor—talk with nearby residents about what you’re doing and why.
Being a responsible community cat caregiver means caring for both the cats and the neighborhood. A clean feeding station, good communication, and proper feeding practices help protect TNVR efforts and ensure community cats remain welcome in the community. 💛
