Who is Stray Cat Relief of Philadelphia?

Stray Cat Relief is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing sterilization services and medical care to the stray cats in the Philadelphia and New Jersey area. Our focus is finding homes for stray cats who’ve been abandoned and giving them a new chance at a loving home.
We are passionate about educating the community on the wellbeing of the stray animals in their neighborhood while also improving people’s lives by providing spay/neuter services to reduce the homeless animals on the streets.
We are a foster home and donation based rescue

Our Mission

We strive to engage our communities and provide compassionate care to improve the lives of displaced or homeless cats- one cat at a time. SCRF services include medical assistance for outdoor and domestic cats, Trap-neuter-and-release for outdoor colony cats, and foster-to-adoption services.

Our Vision

Starting locally, it is our vision that Philadelphia will follow other great models to become a No Kill City for stray or feral cats. We are working to ensure that local communities are educated, engaged, and inspired to take action in their neighborhoods.

Where It All Began

There’s not much cuter than a mischievous kitten playing with a toy and nothing is better than having 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 390,000 cats living outside in Philadelphia; the Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT) reports taking in over 13,000 cats in 2016 alone.

The Stray Cat Relief Fund (SCRF) was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2010, with volunteers managing a 100 cat colony in South Philadelphia along the Delaware River. Today, the SCRF network of volunteers provide Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) and Foster/Adoption Services to almost 800 cats annually in Southeastern PA and NJ.

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 TNR 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. Trap-Neuter-Return is now in practice in many cities in the U.S. after being proven in Europe. In 2020, SCRF provided TNR services to 403 cats.

Although feral cats are neutered, given medical attention and then returned to an environment where they’re provided food and shelter, adoptable cats and kittens are moved into foster and adoption placement. The SCRF has a network of volunteers that provide foster homes to cats coming in from the outside and we partner with several adoption sites including Petsmart, Fishtown Animal Hospital, Washington Avenue Animal Hospital and the Mount Laurel Animal Hospital just to name a few. In 2020, SCRF helped 361 cats find their way to rescue, foster or their forever homes.

What Can You Do to Help? Stray Cat Relief Fund relies on you, our community partners, to help us continue to provide these essential services. Without our services, the cat population in South Philadelphia and other areas of the city would increase. As a volunteer run and supported organization – we need your help.

Please consider a contribution via check to SCRF, PO Box 20167, Philadelphia, PA 19145 or on our website at www.straycatrelieffund.org