Any outdoor free-roaming cat that has been evaluated and sterilized by a licensed veterinarian, ear tipped, vaccinated for rabies, and released back into the area from which it was captured.

Free-roaming cats without acceptable identification that have been impounded or trapped in the community may be deemed a potential community cats based on age, health, and behavior. Once evaluated, such cats may receive services from our partners. Based on the availability of grant money or an individual’s own finances, animal welfare partners may alter, vaccinate or ear tip for visual identification. The Community Cat provider will take community cats back into the community from where they were found. A cat identified as an existing community cat may be immediately returned to the community and exempted from the legal hold period.

A community cat provider is someone who provides food, water, shelter or otherwise cares for community cats and complies with the program guidelines.

Community cat program services are currently available in the cities of Auburn and Garrett, with Garrett's program still in the early stages. Additionally, the unincorporated parts of the county also have a community cat program in place to help manage stray and feral cats. These programs aim to provide humane solutions for the care and control of community cats. If you would like to learn more about these services or advocate for expanded coverage in your area, we encourage you to reach out to your local government or city council for more information.