In this session, Katja will share findings from research conducted with individuals and organizations caring for community cats in the Los Angeles (USA) area. Drawing on data from in-depth interviews with over thirty community cat caregivers and on observations of the routine activities of people and groups working engaged in Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) and colony management (M) in Los Angeles, she identifies and analyzes two key themes in this presentation.

First, efforts to address community cat populations typically separate TNR from management: that is, one person/group traps and sterilizes cats while another provides ongoing care. But, closer integration of TNR and colony management generally results in better outcomes for cats and people, and she reviews some approaches toward such integration.  

Second, lower-income women of color are most often the longer-term caregivers to community cat colonies and typically receive little or no external support from non-profits or state-funded animal control agencies. They report financial strain, emotional stress (including compassion fatigue), and physical/health problems related to their caregiving. More comprehensive support for TNR/TNRM would thus improve the life experiences of both humans and cats. 

Educational Topic 
Outreach and Engagement