Community Cat Resources

ALL CATS ARE PROTECTED UNDER MINNESOTA LAW
www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/343.21

How are Community Cats Different than a Stray or Abandoned Cat?

No matter where you are, community cats probably live among you. Community cats are unowned cats who live outdoors in virtually every landscape on every continent where people live. Like pet cats, they belong to the domestic cat species (Felis catus). However, community cats, also called feral cats, are generally not socialized—or friendly—to people. They live full, healthy lives with their feline families (called colonies) in their outdoor homes. Trap-Neuter-Return is the only humane, effective approach to community cats, and it helps them and the communities where they live. For more information click on the following link-www.alleycat.org/resources/get-informed-discover-the-truth-about-feral-cats/

Community Cats-How to Garner Support For and Run a Successful TNR Program: https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/community-cats-how-to-garner-support-for-and-run-a-successful-tnr-program/

For a current list of of participating Minnesota & Wisconsin Rescues scroll down toward the bottom of the page.

NATIONAL COMMUNITY CATS AND SPAY RESOURCES:

https://www.unitedspayalliance.org/

To purchase a copy of the 3 day informational COMMUNITY CATS 2021 podcast please click HERE.

www.alleycat.org/resources-page/

https://www.alleycat.org/our-work/trap-neuter-return/https://humanepro.org/return-to-field

resources.bestfriends.org/advocacy-community-cats/trap-neuter-return-tnr

https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/how-talk-tnr

MINNESOTA COMMUNITY CATS AND SPAY RESOURCES:

bittykittybrigade.org/tnr/trapping-tnr-resources/

https://mnspayneuter.org

https://mnsnap.org/services/feral-animals-2/

ADDITIONAL TNR SOURCES:

http://petprojectrescue.com/about/programs/trap-neuter-return-tnr/

https://www.carverscotths.org/trapneuterreturn

https://felinerescue.org/about-us/

https://www.campcompanion.org/tnr-farm-program/

https://www.landolicks.org/trap-neuter-release

https://www.northlandspayneuter.org/how-tnr-works

AHS Community Cats Resources:

https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/adoption/community-cats

https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/feral-cats-101

https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/lost-and-found/found-stray-animal

https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/news/outdoor-cats-cold-winters-how-they-survive-minnesota

HSUS Resources:

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/outdoor-cats-faq

ASPCA Resources:

https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender/closer-look-community-cats

The following letter was sent out to law enforcement throughout Minnesota:

Minnesota Federated Humane Societies (MFHS) is reaching out regarding a critically important issue in Minnesota: an alarming escalation in the number of cats that are victims of cruelty, abuse, and torture.

We have documented cases of people shooting cats with a gun or a bow and arrow, burning cats, mutilating cats, skinning cats alive, and intentionally running cats over with a car. We have even received reports of pest control agencies live-trapping cats and killing them. There is the mistaken belief that cats deemed “stray” or “feral” are not protected. Under Minnesota law, all cats are protected. Minnesota law does not define or recognize the term “feral.” The law does not discriminate between cats that have an owner or are socialized and those that do not.

Minnesota Statutes section 343.21, subdivision 1, states it is a crime to torture, maim, unjustifiably injure, mutilate, or kill any animal regardless of ownership. Penalties range from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on level of harm to the animal or prior animal cruelty convictions of the perpetrator.

We have also observed many social media posts that promote cruelty and torture to cats. Other posts disseminate the lie that stray or feral cats are a public nuisance and that they can be exterminated through cruel and inhumane methods. This is false. Cats are protected under Minnesota law, whether they are free-roaming, strays, or companion animals.

It’s critical we educate both the public and private sectors about the treatment of all animals, but particularly cats given the recent increase in cases of abuse and cruelty. It is important that violators understand the law and the penalties associated with them and are held accountable for their actions.
Veterinarians are mandatory reporters (Minnesota Statutes section 346.37, subdivision 6); MFHS works with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the MN Board of Veterinary Medicine to identify any cats (or any animal) brought to vet clinics that have suffered from suspected acts of cruelty. It’s also important we partner with law enforcement agencies like yours to help identify, investigate and prosecute animal welfare crimes.
MFHS is committed to the prevention of animal cruelty. We investigate reports of animal cruelty, abuse, and torture, collaborating with other organizations and agencies and with law enforcement in all 87 Minnesota counties. We also provide animal welfare training to professionals working in this field, including law enforcement officers.

MFHS was formed pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 343.01, subdivision 1, with the power to “appoint agents for the purpose of investigating or otherwise assisting lawfully empowered officials in the prosecution of persons charged with cruelty to animals.” Our appointed agents “have training and experience in activities relating to prevention of cruelty to animals or enforcement of laws relating to cruelty to animals.” Minn. Stat. § 343.01 subd. 1.

Please review NACA’s official position regarding free-roaming cats: https://www.nacanet.org/animal-control-intake-of-free-roaming-cats/

If you have questions or concerns regarding this or with any animal issue, please reach out to us at 612-866-8663 or MFHS@mnfedhs.org.

Respectfully yours,

MFHS Board of Directors

NACA COMMUNITY CATS INFORMATION AND RESOURCES:

https://www.nacanet.org/tag/community-cats/

www.nacanet.org/animal-control-intake-of-free-roaming-cats/

community cats resources