News/Events/Stories

🐾 Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) in Pope Valley 🐾

Helping Our Community Cats, One Life at a Time
Here in Pope Valley and Berryessa Estates, Pope Valley Animal Rescue has established and oversees multiple community cat colonies, both large and small. Whenever a neighbor contacts us about a feral or stray cat in their area, we jump into action — setting traps, arranging for spay/neuter appointments, and talking with the neighbor to see if the cat can be safely returned to its familiar location. We make sure it will have food, shelter, and a caring eye watching out for it.
At established colonies, it’s common for new cats to show up — sometimes abandoned, other times left behind when someone moves. When this happens, the community helps by informing us, and we step in to care for the newcomer.
Tomcats, though, are especially tricky to trap. The presence of a female in heat will draw them away from their regular feeding spots, and just when you think you’ve got the timing right — they’re gone.

One such cat is Lancelot.

He first showed up on my neighbor’s property about 3½ years ago. I fed him whenever he stopped by, but he never stuck around long.

I had to put him on the back burner whenever I needed to prioritize trapping a female cat. But even when I finally had time for him and set out the trap, he just wouldn’t show up.

Eventually, I learned his routine. Lancelot is a smart tomcat with a well-established territory.

He travels half a mile down the road at another colony for his night snack.

My neighbor’s place is his lunch stop.

Two doors down is where he likes to spend the rest of the time with his family — a feral mama cat and her three teenage kittens.

For years, he made his rounds, keeping just out of reach — like he knew the trap was meant for him. But recently, the stars aligned. We finally caught him, got him neutered, and returned him to his colony. Now, Lancelot is back with his family — safe, calmer, no longer driven to roam, fight, or put himself in danger.

The more people who watch out for, feed, and care for stray and feral cats, the safer our community becomes for them. And the less likely they are to suffer neglect, cruelty, or harm.

👉 Every life matters.

👉 Be part of the solution.

🐾 Get your pets fixed.

🐾 Support TNR.

🐾 Keep an eye out and care.

Together, we can give these cats the chance to live peaceful, safe lives — and stop the cycle of overpopulation and suffering.