Community Cat Program
Our Commitment to Community Cats
At the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA, we’re dedicated to safeguarding the well-being of all cats — especially those living outdoors in our neighborhoods. Through our Community Cat Program, we provide compassionate care, promote humane solutions like Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR), and support education and advocacy to protect these often-overlooked animals. By working with local residents, volunteers, and partners, we're building a healthier, more humane community for cats to live and thrive.
Our Solution
Trap
The Community Cats are trapped in a humane live trap with the instruction of the HBSPCA and hard work of the Colony Caregiver.
Neuter/Spay
Once brought into the HBSPCA, the cats are then put through the surgery process to get them properly fixed.
Vaccinate
During their time at the HBSPCA, they are also given their routine vaccines to keep them healthy.
Return
After a day of recovery at in the HBSPCA recovery centre, the cats are then picked up by their Colony Caregivers and returned to the exact location they were trapped.
Become a Registered Colony Caregiver
By registering, you're not only aiding us in the effective management and support of community cat colonies but also playing a pivotal role in reducing the Community Cat population. Registration enables us to meticulously track the movements of Community Cats, optimizing our trapping efforts and ensuring that each cat receives adequate care and support.
Moreover, your pro-active registration aligns with the local city bylaws of the City of Hamilton, safeguarding you against any potential fines for unlawfully feeding community cats. It’s a step towards responsible and lawful caretaking, allowing you to continue your compassionate efforts.
What’s Next?
Once this process is completed, you will receive an email from the Community Cat Program team welcoming you to the program! From there, you will have email interaction with the team directly and will be sent all the required information to get your Community Cats through the program.
Trap Training for Registered Colony Caregivers
As part of our Community Cat Program, registered colony caregivers play an essential role in supporting the health and safety of community cats. This video walks you through how to trap train safely and effectively.
Please note: this content is intended for registered program participants only.
Did You Know...
In some cases, if the cat presents itself as sociable and friendly, the HBSPCA staff undergoes a behaviour assessment with the animal. If the animal passes this assessment, and shelter space allows, we then enter the cat into the Adoptions process to be matched with their furever home – giving them a second chance at a safe and healthy life. Additionally, if shelter space opens and there was a Community Cat that was previously returned to their colony, our team will issue a call-back to the Caregiver to bring the cat back to the HBSPCA for us to put through the Adoptions process.
Working Cats, Thriving Farms
The HBSPCA's Community Cat Program extends beyond urban neighbourhoods to support barn cats living and working on rural properties. Barn owners who register as Colony Caregivers can access full TNVR care for their cats - spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, deworming, flea treatment, ear tipping, and microchipping.
Just like our urban program, Colony Caregivers do the hands-on work of humanely trapping their cats and bringing them in - with the guidance of the HBSPCA. We handle the veterinary procedures, and caregivers return their healthy, cared-for cats to the farm. It's a practical, humane approach to managing barn cat populations - protecting individual animals while supporting the long-term health and balance of the colony.
