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A black and white cat exiting a red wire pet carrier on a gray asphalt ground with a beige wall in the background, partially covered by a white towel or blanket.

What is a Community Cat?

A community free-roaming cat is a cat that lives outdoors and has no single owner but is cared for by the community. These cats may be feral (unsocialized to humans), semi-feral, or friendly strays that rely on food, shelter, and care provided by residents, businesses, or dedicated caregivers.

Community free-roaming cats are often part of established colonies and may have been abandoned, lost, or born outside. Many of these cats are managed through Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) programs, where they are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and returned to their outdoor homes. A fixed community cat will have an ear tip—a small, painless removal of the tip of one ear—which serves as a universal sign that the cat has been sterilized and does not need to be trapped again.

TNVR helps stabilize the population, improves the health of the cats, and reduces behaviors associated with mating, such as fighting and yowling. By supporting community free-roaming cats through TNVR, ongoing care, and responsible colony management, we can create a more humane and sustainable solution for outdoor cats while preventing overpopulation and protecting local wildlife.



Close-up of an orange and white long-haired cat inside a cage, looking directly at the camera with green eyes.

Program Purpose and Goal:

The goal of the Community Cat Program is to reduce the number of kittens being born on the streets, limit the spread of disease, and decrease the number of kittens entering the shelter system through TNvR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return).We empower and equip the community to play an active role in the process. By doing so, we hope to create an environment where community cats thrive. This approach not only benefits the cats but also fosters greater community engagement and support for animal welfare in our community. Through education and collaboration, we can ensure that community cats receive the care they need while promoting a healthier ecosystem for cats in Long Beach

Service Area:

At this time, our program is only available for community cats (free roaming, outdoor cats) located in the following cities:

  • Long Beach

  • Signal Hill

  • Los Alamitos

  • Cerritos

Services Offered:

  • All cats will receive spay/neuter, vaccinations, flea treatment, and ear tip

  • Trap rental

  • Training and guidance

If you are willing to do the work, we will be the resource. If you see community cats in the service areas where you want to conduct Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), we can assist you. Our organization provides guidance and support throughout the TNvR process, helping you ensure the well-being of these cats while addressing population concerns. Together, we can work towards a sustainable and humane solution for managing community cat populations.

Join our mission to Fix the Future

Apply for the Community Cat Project

Long Beach Community Cat Project

Fixing the Future

In partnership with Long Beach Animal Care Services and Friends of Long Beach Animals, we are proud to offer a Free Community Cat Spay/Neuter Clinic serving free-roaming cats in Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Cerritos, and Signal Hill.

Through this program we are humanely reducing the free-roaming cat population by preventing future litters, improving the health and safety of community cats, and creating long-term, sustainable change for cats and the neighborhoods they live in.