Friends of Scratching Post Cat Rescue

14/06/2026

The science on Trap-Neuter-Return programs for community cats has been building for decades. And a new research summary published in April 2026 by Texas A&M researchers brings that evidence together in one clear statement.

According to Dr. Amanda Blake, an associate research scientist in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, TNR is the only humane, evidence-based, effective method to control unowned cat populations that live outdoors. The research confirms that TNR works by stopping the breeding cycle, which in turn addresses the community concerns most commonly raised about outdoor cat colonies, including disease spread, fighting, spraying, and yowling.

TNR programs work like this: community cats are humanely trapped, brought to a veterinary clinic to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and eartipped (the universal visible sign that a cat has been through the program), and then returned to their outdoor homes.

The research also highlights something called the vacuum effect. When cats are simply removed from an area without being spayed or neutered, new unsterilized cats quickly move in to fill the space. TNR prevents this by stabilizing colony populations over time.

Beyond population management, TNR reduces shelter intake, lowers euthanasia rates, decreases calls to animal control, and saves taxpayer money. Cats who are no longer focused on mating and reproducing also tend to coexist more peacefully with the people living near them.

For those who care about community cats, this research is worth sharing. The debate over whether TNR works is, scientifically speaking, largely settled.

(Source: Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, published in Phys.org, April 2026)

11/04/2026

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24/03/2026

23/03/2026

The Massachusetts Senate has passed legislation that:

- Requires public housing projects that have received state funds to allow pets; prohibits breed discrimination; and prohibits declawing as a condition for having a cat;
- Bans the retail sale of commercially-bred dogs and cats in pet stores, allowing those stores to partner with shelters and rescue groups to offer adoptions as an alternative;
- Prohibits homeowner and renter insurance companies from discriminating based on a dog’s breed, including on whether to issue a policy, charging more, refusing to renew, or cancelling a policy;
- Prohibits animal testing on consumer products when non-animal alternatives exist; and,
- Expands neglect and cruelty laws.

It also funds a study on whether and how pet restrictions and pet deposits/rent impact relinquishment of animals. The bill is now before the House.

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19/03/2026

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14/03/2026

Many cats end up in shelters not because they’re “bad,” but because their families didn’t know how to address common behavior challenges. Understanding your cat’s needs and mindset can make all the difference.

28/02/2026

It’s about the kind, and kind of, people who volunteer to help, to just be there.. for them.

Some days in shelter work are heavy. We see dogs come to us from situations that weren’t kind, dogs who are hurting, scared, and unsure of what comes next.

This sweet boy has been nervous. His feet and hips have been bothering him, and the other day he just needed a break — soft blankets, some quiet, and time out of the kennels to simply rest.

As I was walking the halls, I looked in and saw one of our medical team members lying right beside him on the floor, finishing up her notes for the day. No fanfare. No audience. Just her making sure he didn’t have to be alone.

That’s who our staff is.

Compassion doesn’t always look big and dramatic. Sometimes it looks like laying on a blanket on a tiled floor. Sometimes it looks like working on your laptop next to a dog who just needs someone to “show up.” No expectations. No pressure. Just a steady presence saying, “You’re not alone.”

We are so proud of this team and the heart they bring every single day. These are the moments that remind us why we do this work.