Survey Says: More Community Cat Colonies Are Finding Their Balance

When we compared our 2024 and 2025 Community Cat Colony Sentiment Survey results, we discovered something that made us sit up and take notice—and we think you’ll be just as excited as we are.

If you’ve been doing TNR work for any length of time, you know that feeling when someone asks, “But does TNR actually work?” Well, friends, we’ve got some data that might just help you answer that question with a lot more confidence.

The Numbers That Tell the Story

Let’s start with the big picture: Our survey participation jumped from 85 responses in 2024 to 399 in 2025—that’s a 383% increase! More caretakers are engaged and willing to share their experiences, which gives us a much clearer window into what’s really happening with community cat populations across the country.

But here’s what really caught our attention in the data. In 2024, nearly two-thirds of caretakers (64%) reported that their colonies were growing. By 2025, that number had dropped dramatically to just 33%. Where did all that growth go? It shifted to stability.

The percentage of caretakers reporting stable colonies more than doubled—jumping from 27% to 46%. Think about that for a moment: nearly half of all colony caretakers are now seeing stable populations in their communities.

What This Shift Really Means

If you’re a caretaker dealing with a growing colony right now, this might feel like a gut punch. “Why is my colony still growing when everyone else seems to have it figured out?” Here’s the thing—you’re not behind, and you’re not failing. What we’re seeing is evidence of the TNR lifecycle in action.

Those caretakers reporting stable colonies today? Many of them were exactly where you are now just a couple of years ago. Colony management is a process, not an instant fix, and persistence really does pay off.

For TNR organizations, this data validates everything you’ve been working toward. The shift from crisis mode to maintenance mode is exactly what successful TNR programs are designed to achieve. It’s evidence you can point to when you’re advocating for continued funding, community support, or municipal cooperation.

For community leaders and policymakers, what you’re seeing here is a maturing field. Community cat management is evolving from emergency response to sustainable stewardship—and that’s a much more manageable (and cost-effective) approach for everyone involved.

The Geographic Picture

One thing that really struck us was the geographic expansion of our survey. We saw strong participation from New York (88 responses), California (48), and some impressive numbers from states like Michigan (37), Georgia (23), and North Carolina (21). This tells us that community cat awareness and engagement is spreading—which is exactly what we need to see for long-term progress.

What About Those “Smaller” Colonies?

Here’s another interesting shift: the percentage of caretakers reporting smaller colonies increased from 9% to 21%. Before you start worrying about cats disappearing, let’s think about what this likely represents.

In many cases, smaller colonies are actually success stories. They might reflect:

• Long-term TNR success where populations are naturally declining through attrition
• Improved adoption and rehoming efforts getting more cats into homes
• Better integration with animal welfare services

Some of these “smaller” colonies might even be transitioning toward successful closure—which is actually the best possible outcome for everyone involved.

But here’s the crucial piece that every caretaker needs to understand: even as your colony gets smaller, the work is never truly “finished.” People move and abandon cats. Unaltered cats wander in from neighboring areas. Someone’s indoor cat gets out and isn’t spayed or neutered.

This is why vigilance is so critical. A colony that’s down to just two or three cats can quickly become a colony of ten or fifteen if those new arrivals aren’t fixed immediately. The key to maintaining those smaller, stable colonies is staying alert for newcomers and acting fast.

Think of it like gardening—you don’t plant a garden once and walk away. You maintain it, watch for weeds, and address problems before they take over. Colony management works the same way. The most successful caretakers are the ones who understand that ongoing monitoring and quick intervention are what keep their hard-won stability from slipping away.

The Reality Check

Now, let’s be real for a minute. With 32.6% of colonies still growing, we’re not declaring victory and going home. There’s still plenty of work to do, and different communities need different types of support.

If your colony is still growing, you need intensified TNR efforts and better access to affordable spay/neuter services. If your colony is stable, you need consistent maintenance support and health monitoring resources. And if your colony is getting smaller, you might need guidance on caring for aging populations or successful transition planning.

The point isn’t that the work is done—it’s that the approach is working, and we can see the evidence.

What You Can Take From This

Whether you’re a seasoned TNR practitioner or just getting started, here’s what this data tells us:

TNR programs are achieving their primary objective. Population stabilization isn’t just a hope—it’s happening in communities across the country.

Your local efforts are part of a bigger success story. Every cat you trap, every colony you manage, every community member you educate is contributing to this shift toward stability.

The field is maturing. We’re moving from crisis response to sustainable practice, and that’s something we should all feel good about.

Data matters. When we track outcomes and share experiences, we build the evidence base that helps everyone make better decisions and advocate more effectively.

As we head into 2026, we’re building on solid ground. The dramatic shift from 64% growing colonies to 46% stable colonies didn’t happen by accident—it happened because thousands of dedicated people like you understood that sustainable solutions require patience, persistence, and a strategic approach.

Keep doing what you’re doing. The data shows it’s working.

Want to participate in our next sentiment survey? We run them every January and July. Please subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss details on how to share your colony outcomes and contribute to our collective understanding of community cat population trends.