Ashburn, VA Stray Cat Found Near Russell Branch Parkway

Facebook Community Response

Donna D.

1 month ago

Christi Smith Trap-Neuter-RETURN is the humane option for feral cats. Most ferals will not adjust to living inside, although some do. But the vast majority want to live outside and should be allowed to do so. Taking them to a shelter is usually a death sentence unless it's to a shelter with a barn/working cat program. Cats that are TNR'd have caretakers to feed them, make sure they get medical care when needed, and are there to help them cross humanely when cats get sick, injured, or are dying of old age. There are approximately 70-80 million feral cats in the US. Kittens and friendly cats get dumped in shelters all the time because people don't want them anymore or can't afford to keep them. So where are these 70 million feral cats going to go? If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. TNR works.

Katharina H.

1 month ago

Christi Smith you are creating a misunderstanding of what ear tipping represents. An ear tip means the cat has been through Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR), a humane, evidence-based approach supported by organizations like Alley Cat Allies and ASPCA. These cats are not “re-abandoned”—they are unsocialized community cats who are often not suitable for indoor homes. Forcing them into shelters or homes typically leads to extreme stress, overcrowding, and higher euthanasia rates. TNR prevents breeding, reduces suffering, and allows them to live safely in the environment they know. Adoptable cats are brought inside. Community cats require a different, but still responsible, standard of care. Volunteers who show up every day, rain or shine, care for these cats by providing food, shelter, water, keeping track of their vaccines, and monitoring them for any signs of illness or vet visit needs. If you’d like to help beyond comments, I can point you where to start.

Dora L.

1 month ago

Christi Smith well I, as someone doing TNR for more years than I care to admit, I totally disagree that it is not a valuable asset to reduce the population of feral cats. Cats born outside are not something that you can just bring inside, would you bring a raccoon or a fox into your house? Well some of these cats in managed colonies do get tame and are able to live it inside life, it is usually after years of the same person feeding and tending to them. They may bond to one person but not a stranger. It is not something where you just trap a cat and it is suddenly tame. If you have a better solution please inform me how you do it?

Anita B.

1 month ago

Christi Smith it is NOT reabandon. It is Return. I don’t agree with your comments. Most cats that are like this have very good colony caretakers and they live a very good life and are happier outside. There are cats that don’t do well if they are brought inside they do better outside.

Christi S.

1 month ago

Dora Lea Spring Lucas why do we not have free roaming colony dogs? Why is it that when people see a dog out loose, they are immediately concerned? Why do you not have the same level of care for cats? I do understand that Trap, Neuter, Reabandon is a common though misguided practice. I encourage people to question its legitimacy, for it has none. It seems very pretty on it face, but in practice, the outcomes for those cats are often cruel beyond imagination.

Christi S.

1 month ago

Anita Bloom why do we not have free roaming colony dogs? Why is it that when people see a dog out loose, they are immediately concerned? Why do you not have the same level of care for cats? I do understand that Trap, Neuter, Reabandon is a common though misguided practice. I encourage people to question its legitimacy, for it has none. It seems very pretty on it face, but in practice, the outcomes for those cats are often cruel beyond imagination.

Christi S.

1 month ago

Carol why do we not have free roaming colony dogs? Why is it that when people see a dog out loose, they are immediately concerned? Why do you not have the same level of care for cats? I do understand that Trap, Neuter, Reabandon is a common though misguided practice. I encourage people to question its legitimacy, for it has none. It seems very pretty on it face, but in practice, the outcomes for those cats are often cruel beyond imagination.

Christi S.

1 month ago

I’m sure my above comment will get pushback. I stand firm. BUT the good news is, you yourself can take that cat in, though you are certainly not obligated to do so . You can provide regular veterinary care for them, you can feed them and love them and above all, keep them indoors. We do not allow dogs to free-roam. This is not only for public safety, it is for their safety as well. This is why when we see a dog that is loose, we automatically assume that it needs care. We assume that it is lost or abandoned, and our first impulse is not to say “oh that’s just one of those free roaming colony dogs.” Or neighborhood dogs.” NO. it is assumed lost or abandoned, and we act accordingly. Cats deserve the same level of care. So, OP, I salute you for caring.

Christi S.

1 month ago

I’m loath and sad to tell you this, but unfortunately, the cut off top of the left ear indicates that this cat has been trapped, neutered, and re-abandoned— thus virtually ensuring that he or she will never find a loving family to take care of him.

Dora L.

1 month ago

Community Cat, please leave it alone.