What are community Cats?

The “community cat” title includes any outdoor cat whether the cat is unsocial, friendly, born into the wild, and even lost or abandoned pet cats. Some community cats are routinely fed by one or more community members, while others survive without human intervention. Whatever a cat's individual circumstances, the term "community cat" reflects the reality that for these cats, "home" is within the community rather than in an individual household. These cats have found a source of food and shelter just as other wild animals have. Many experts now believe the best option is to keep these cats where they are unless serious problems are documented.

Trap-Neuter-Return

Here at Southern Pines, we proudly support and participate in  “trap-neuter-return” programs, often shortened to TNR. This means to spay/neuter and vaccinate healthy cats and then return them to the location where they were found. A cat that is in good condition means that it already has a "home" in the community and is likely to continue to do well if it is returned to that home. Spay/neuter and vaccination improves the health and welfare of the cats and reduces problematic behaviors such as fighting, spraying, vocalizing and of course, reproducing.​
Communities across the country are participating in TNR as the most humane approach to addressing overpopulation in outdoor cats. By fixing cats and returning them to their outdoor homes, TNR improves the lives of cats, addresses community concerns, reduces complaints about cats, and stops the breeding cycle. TNR is a simple, effective way to help save the lives of outdoor cats everywhere.
For more information on trap-neuter-return, visit Alley Cat Allies. ​

What We Offer

Community Cat Pricing

Trap Rental

Dorothy Ricks
​Community cat fund

Dorothy Ricks was an unwavering force for good in Hattiesburg, partnering with Southern Pines for over a decade to help improve the lives of homeless, hurting, and in need animals. To memorialize our friend Dorothy's love and work with Hattiesburg community cats, we've decided to create the Dorothy Ricks Community Cat Fund--a special fund designed to help assist with the cost of fixing community cats. With this fund, we hope to honor her memory by continuing her legacy of love for community cats and her commitment to the mission of Southern Pines, and to continue her legacy of love for her community. 

FAQs about Community cats

Why is TNR important?
​
  • Lost cats are significantly more likely to be reunited with their owner when returned to the community instead of the shelter. In our community, the cat reclaim-rate is lower than 1% while lost cats are generally 13 times more likely to be reunited with their owners by non-shelter means. A staggering 60% of lost cats return home on their own if left in the community where they are found.
  • No more surprise litters of kittens! Once cats are spayed and neutered, unwanted mating behaviors like yowling, spraying, and fighting will end, too.
  • Cats are vaccinated against rabies which can help reduce the spread of disease throughout all animals in the community.
  • Returning fixed community cats to their colony helps to stop new, unfixed cats from moving into the area.
What is ear tipping?
​Ear tipping is the humane, safe surgical removal of the top quarter-inch of the left ear which occurs during the spay/neuter surgery. Ear tipping is a widely accepted means of marking a community cat who has been spayed or neutered. It also often identifies them as being part of a colony with a caretaker.
How did community cats find their way to my property?
​There are millions of outdoor cats in the United States, so chances are you will encounter at least a few in your lifetime. The likely answer for a cat’s arrival is that there are resources nearby that make your property and the surrounding area appealing to that cat or colony of cats. Many community cats have adapted to living in many different environments, including most types of urban and rural areas.
What about kittens found outside?
​While adult cats can thrive in the community, kittens are less likely to survive. TNR programs will help to decrease the number of kittens reproducing in the community but we understand this change will occur over time. However, by eliminating intake of adult community cats, we will be able to prioritize intake of kittens to give them the best chance at survival and finding a home. We will still offer foster-to-surrender options through Southern Pines Animal Shelter for young kittens, as well as schedule appointments to take kittens in from all surrounding communities and do our absolute best to find each kitten a suitable home.
Are there other resources to help with community cats?
​There are a limited number of animal welfare organizations in the state of Mississippi and a lot of communities who really need more resources. We highly recommend researching other shelters in your area to see if there are options locally. However, if you do not have resources in your area we strongly recommend calling, emailing, or sending a letter to your city’s council or the board of supervisors in your county to let them know that you see a need for more resources in the area of animal welfare. The only way to improve the situation for animals in our state is to insist that change take place and to insist that more resources be allocated for animal welfare. Below is a list of nearby counties and contact information for their local Board of Supervisors.

Lamar County Board of Supervisors
601-794-3408
P.O. Box 1240
Purvis, MS 39475
Website

Perry County Board of Supervisors
601-964-8370
PO Box 345
New Augusta, MS 39462

Covington County Board of Supervisors
601-765-8605
PO Box 1679
Collins MS 39428
mknight@covingtoncountyms.gov
Website

Jefferson Davis County Board of Supervisors
601-792-4336
P.O. Box 1317
Prentiss, MS 39474
purchasing@co.jefferson-davis.ms.us
Website

Marion County Board of Supervisors
601-736-7382
215 Broad Street
Columbia, MS 39429
​Website

Jones County Board of Supervisors
601-428-3139
PO Box 1468
Laurel, MS 39441
​Website

Wayne County Board of Supervisors
(601) 735-6225
610 Azalea Drive
Waynesboro, MS 39367
​Website
Is there a way to discourage unwanted behaviors?
While TNR helps to reduce the most commonly unwanted natural cat behaviors like reproducing, fighting, and spraying, there are other natural behaviors that can be disruptive. Thankfully there are multiple simple, safe, and effective solutions for deterring unwanted behaviors in outdoor cats. To view our simple solutions to unwanted community cat behaviors, please click here. 

We fix community cats for a flat rate of $55 

We do not require an appointment for community cats.  We accept community cats for spay/neuter services from Monday - Thursday with no appointment between 9AM- 4PM.