Alley Cat Allies

Alley Cat Allies' mission is to end the killing of cats and lead the movement for their humane care.

Why do we exist?

Alley Cat Allies was founded in 1990 by two women who recognized that stray and feral cats’ needs were not being met by the animal pound and shelter system. They realized that when well-meaning citizens called pounds and shelters about feral cats, their only response was to kill them.

Alley Cat Allies introduced the practice of spaying and neutering stray and feral cats using Trap-Neuter-Return programs in the United States. Since then, Alley Cat Allies has led the progressive movement for the protection of these cats and continues to educate the public about the lives of cats. We provide a voice for the millions of stray and feral cats living in our nation and serves as the leader of the movement to protect and improve the lives of cats.

In nearly 20 years, we have earned the support of 240,000 caregivers, animal friends, and activists who share our dedication to protect cat. People of conscience everywhere are seeking to act on behalf of the lives of cats. Together with our supporters, Alley Cat Allies represents the cats and supports the programs and policies that can help protect them.

What have you accomplished?

In addition to our education, outreach, and advocacy campaigns that work to change public action and policy across the nation, Alley Cat Allies steps in to advocate against policies that directly endanger cats’ lives. Here is just one example:
For years, the feral cats of Cape May, New Jersey, lived content, healthy lives under the city’s groundbreaking and highly successful 12-year-old Trap-Neuter-Return initiative. The cats had become a part of the fabric of this popular beach town, loved by citizens and tourists alike.

Yet in 2008 , the lives of these cats were threatened when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s New Jersey Office pressured Cape May to approve a beach-management plan that would lead to the trapping—and ultimately the killing—of the town’s outdoor cats. To stop this cruel policy, Alley Cat Allies organized dozens of local supporters to rally in front of Cape May’s City Hall and presented a petition to the City Council signed by over 9,000 supporters nationwide. More than 100 dismayed residents and Alley Cat Allies supporters packed the auditorium at the city council meeting to discuss the plan. Alley Cat Allies President Becky Robinson opened the public comment period by questioning what would happen after the city eliminated the proven and effective Trap-Neuter-Return program. The Alley Cat Allies-led protest received national media attention.

Our efforts paid off. The city of Cape May promised to protect the lives of local outdoor cats by continuing the city’s existing program. Before voting, city leaders acknowledged that the Trap-Neuter-Return program has received national and international recognition. They confirmed that it is an essential program that has been truly successful.

	How do you help people in my community?		Why do you need my support?
	How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?		Can I Volunteer? How?