Our Story
The Beginning: A Personal Journey
I began caring for community cats when my husband and I moved into our home in January 2018. From my living room window, I noticed numerous cats and kittens across the street, and I knew I had to do something to help them. After reaching out to a local rescue, I learned about TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and borrowed my first trap. My initial colony included 17 cats and kittens—several were young enough to find rescues for, while the adults were neutered/spayed and returned to their outdoor home. I became their colony caregiver, feeding them daily and providing shelters through harsh winters.
Growing Involvement in TNR
Since then, I’ve worked with other volunteers to trap, feed, and care for many more colonies, growing more involved in each step of TNR. Over time, I ended up with seven cats living in my home—each one a former colony cat that couldn’t be released due to illness or injury. When people say feral cats can’t be tamed, I know firsthand that this isn’t true; several cats I’ve cared for now live happily indoors or have been adopted into loving homes.
The Dedication Behind TNR
TNR isn’t just about trapping and neutering. It’s about dedication—prepping the traps, providing aftercare, and working to make a difficult experience a little less frightening for these cats. Animal rescue work brings constant challenges: covering the cost of food, relocating feeding spots after being asked to leave, finding resources for kittens when shelters are full, making difficult decisions about injured cats, or discovering abandoned, friendly cats with nowhere to go. Compassion fatigue is real, and so many of us are burnt out, but we stay committed to easing these cats’ lives even in small ways.
The Root of the Problem
The root of the problem is simple: if people spayed and neutered their pets, kept them indoors, and didn’t abandon them, community cats wouldn’t be struggling for survival. But for now, the problem exists. Thousands of community cats are living in each town, often unnoticed because of their fear of humans. Since 2018, I’ve personally trapped hundreds of cats, preventing countless litters, finding homes for those who could be socialized, and saving lives. However, the need is still great, and more volunteers and donations are essential.
The Vision for Feed & Fix Foundation
I’m incredibly proud of each cat we’ve helped and every life we’ve positively changed. My vision for Feed & Fix Foundation is to continue raising awareness, advocating for these animals, and bringing more people into this work. Together, we can make a difference, one cat at a time.
