There’s nothing better than a kitten playing with a new toy or a cat curled up on your feet while you read a book. Unfortunately, not all cats are lucky enough to have a home.
The ASPCA estimates that over three million cats enter the shelter system each year and according to the Citizens for a No Kill Philadelphia, there are as many as 400,000 cats living outside in Philadelphia: the Animal Care and Control Team reports taking in over 4509 cats in 2024 alone. Stray Cat Relief is a 501(c)(3) established in 2011 with volunteers managing a 100-cat colony in South Philadelphia along the Delaware River.
Today, the SCR network of volunteers provide Trap-Neuter Release (TNR), Foster/Adoption Services, and Medical Care to almost 800 cats annually in Southeastern PA and NJ. Besides the original Delaware River colony location (now 40 cats), we also manage 40 cats at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and 20 cats in New Jersey.
In 2023, SCR took in 569 cats while continuing to provide food, water, and medical care daily for the cats living at the colonies we manage. All the cats coming into SCR need medical care ranging from spay and neuter to extended intensive care stays in the hospital as well as cases of abuse. Medical costs are one of our biggest expenses and fully funded by donations.
In 2024, SCR treated 156 cats with medically urgent conditions. Trap-Neuter-Return is significant for cities moving toward a “no-kill” environment and is the only humane and effective approach for stray and feral cats. Scientific studies show that TNVR improves the lives of feral cats, improves their relationships with the people or retail establishments located near them, and decreases the size of colonies over time. Any feral cats taken in by SCR that are not adoptable are neutered, given medical attention, and then returned to an environment where they’re provided food and shelter. In 2024, SCR provided TNR services to 138 cats.
For adoptable cats and kittens coming in from the outside, SCR has a network of volunteers that provide foster homes until adoption placement as well as an adoption center. The Scratching Post houses twelve cats with a separate quarantine room that accommodates five. Since opening in late 2021, we have had 259 cats adopted from the center.
In 2024, SCR helped 320 cats find their forever home.
