COMMUNITY CATS PROGRAMS
Community Cats
The Community Cats program focuses on outdoor cats and finding long-term living solutions for them. For those who are feral and for whom the outdoors is their home, managed community colonies provide healthy, nurturing environments.
In 2007, Cook County passed the Managed Care of Feral Cats ordinance, which permits the creation of managed feral cat colonies. Tree House manages over 1,000 colonies that are home to more than 4,000 outdoor cats. Colony caretakers are registered with Cook County and receive training and support from Tree House. Caretakers are responsible for providing food, water, and shelter to the cats in their care. Caretakers are also expected to spay or neuter the cats in the colony. They trap and bring their cats to Tree House’s Veterinary Wellness Center to be neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
Cats at Work
Feral cat relocation is a last resort and is only considered in urgent situations; for one reason or another, these unsocialized cats cannot be returned to their original territory. Because this population is not suitable for a traditional shelter-to-couch adoption, a need arose for residences or businesses willing to host an outdoor colony of cats as new Community Caretakers. For these circumstances, Tree House created the Cats at Work program!
Since its founding, we’ve placed over 1,000 cats in the program, and they’ve enjoyed thriving lives ever since.
GET INVOLVED
Want to support our Community Cats programs? You can help!
Become a Caretaker
Are you looking for sponsorship for cats in your area? Apply to be a colony caretaker with Tree House! We are a sponsor of the Cook County Feral Cat Ordinance, provide counseling, and share resources for community cats.
TNR
Are you a trapper or caretaker in need of spay/neuter/vaccine services? Our Veterinary Wellness Center is here to help! TNR services are available by appointment only and are exclusively for outdoor cats. Cats must be brought in humane traps and covered with a sheet or towel.
To learn more about renting a humane trap, click here!
TNR surgeries include: Spay/neuter surgery, pain medications, ear tip, Rabies and FVRCP vaccines, microchip, and parasite prevention.
Explore More Resources
We encourage you to dig deeper!
Curious about community cat practices? Learn more from the ASPCA here.
Studies from the University of Florida confirm we’re on the right track—and there’s still more to be done. Find out more here.
Wondering how community cats impact wildlife? Check out this insightful read from Best Friends!
