Image: Pat (left) and me during a sunny afternoon of trapping and caring.
There’s something special about lending a hand—especially when it’s furry paws you’re helping. Recently, I had the chance to spend an afternoon in Colonial Beach, Virginia with the Colonial Beach Humane Society, and wow, what a heartwarming experience it was. This is the story of a small-town mission making a big difference—one cat at a time.
Together with my friend Pat—who actually started this incredible organization—we set out to care for one of the town’s managed colonies of feral cats. The goal? Set a few traps, offer up a little food, and safely capture some of the colony cats so they could be spayed or neutered, then returned to their familiar turf.
Meet the Mission: Who Is Colonial Beach Humane Society?
This incredible group operates with a clear focus:
- Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for feral cats in Colonial Beach
- Monitor all colonies to track newcomers and births
- Trap and socialize kittens to find them loving homes
- Feed colonies daily to reduce the need to hunt local wildlife
- Collaborate with Wendy’s Feline Friends and colony managers for adoptions
They’re not a shelter, but a lifeline—ensuring that every feral cat in town is known, cared for, and no longer reproducing.
Why We Do It: The Heart Behind TNR
If you’re new to the term, TNR stands for Trap, Neuter, Return. It’s a humane, effective method to manage feral cat populations without resorting to euthanasia or overloading shelters. Colonial Beach Humane Society (lovingly known as Colonial Cats) has been at this since 1992, and the results are nothing short of inspiring. And let me tell you—they’re not just doing it; they’re rocking it. By preventing millions (yes, millions!) of potential feral kittens from being born, they’ve had a profound impact on both animal welfare and the local ecosystem.
🐾 Over 848 cats fixed since 2017
🐾 Estimated prevention of more than 70,000,000 kittens
🐾 100% of known colonies are tracked, monitored, and cared for
All thanks to a handful of selfless, big-hearted volunteers.
It’s All Volunteers. All Love.
From setting traps to driving cats to the clinic, the entire program is run by volunteers. That includes feeding every colony (so they don’t have to hunt local birds or wildlife), monitoring for new members, and caring for kittens until they’re ready for forever homes.
Seriously, these folks are superheroes. Quiet, behind-the-scenes, cat-whispering superheroes!
On the Ground: A Day in the Life of a Volunteer
Today, Pat, the founder of Colonial Beach Humane Society, and I visited a small colony of about ten cats. We brought four covered traps—lined with enticing cat food and ready to go—and set them in a quiet, grassy spot beside the woods.
Though the kitties usually come out quickly for a snack, today was a little different. We spotted a few—a white cat named Snowy, a shy grey, and a sleek black one—but they kept their distance.
While we didn’t trap any this time, the experience was far from a failure. This kind of work isn’t about instant results. It’s about consistency, compassion, and community. Every visit builds trust with these cautious animals. And every time we show up, they learn we’re here to help.
Who Are These Furry Free Spirits?
These aren’t your typical house cats. Feral cats are born and raised in the wild, often with minimal human contact. Some of them can become socialized over time—especially the younger ones—but many are simply not suited for indoor living.
That’s where TNR comes in. It’s the most humane and effective way to care for feral cats. By fixing and returning them to their colony, you reduce overpopulation without harming the cats or the surrounding wildlife.
And these cats? They're not just statistics. They have personalities. Some are bold, some are shy. A few will even let you pet them if they trust you enough. It’s these little connections that remind you: every life matters.
Why TNR Works
If you’ve ever wondered why TNR is the go-to method for feral cat care, here’s the scoop:
- It’s effective: Reduces population over time
- It’s humane: No euthanasia, no shelter overcrowding
- It’s eco-conscious: Well-fed, neutered cats don’t hunt birds
- It’s community-friendly: Reduces yowling, fighting, and surprise litters
And here's a jaw-dropping stat: Just one unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce up to 70,000 cats in just seven years. By fixing 848 cats, the Colonial Beach Humane Society has potentially prevented the birth of over 70 million kittens. Wild, right?
Image below: Humane Cat Traps Set for TNR in Colonial Beach, Virginia
(Four humane cat traps, covered with towels and placed on the grass near a wooded area in Colonial Beach, VA. Set by volunteers with the Colonial Beach Humane Society as part of their Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts to manage the local feral cat population.)
FAQs
Q: Do the cats suffer from being outdoors?
Nope! These are feral cats, meaning they’ve never lived indoors. They’re happiest outside, especially when they’re well-fed and not stressed by mating or kittens.
Q: Can I adopt one?
Maybe! Kittens are often socialized and adopted out through Wendy’s Feline Friends. Adult cats, unless super friendly, usually return to the colony after their vet visit.
Q: What if I see a new cat in town?
Contact the CB Humane Society. Volunteers will add them to a colony and start the TNR process.
How You Can Help
Want to get involved or show some love to this amazing group? Here’s how:
- Volunteer: Whether it’s trapping cats, feeding colonies, or helping with transport, there’s always something to do.
- Donate: Every dollar goes toward food, traps, medical care, and supplies.
- Follow and Share: Give them a follow on Facebook and spread the word.
- Support Local Partners: Organizations like Wendy’s Feline Friends help adopt out socialized kittens—supporting them supports the whole ecosystem.
Even if you don’t live in Colonial Beach, you can be inspired by what this group is doing and maybe start something similar in your own community.
Want to be Part of This Mission—Even From Afar?
👉 Click Here to Donate to the Colonial Beach Humane Society
Your donation goes directly to:
- Spay/neuter surgeries
- Food for colony cats
- Humane traps and transport supplies
- Medical care for sick or injured cats
Even $10 can cover a meal for a whole colony. And every bit helps!
Real Talk: Even Small Efforts Count
We didn’t trap any cats today. But that doesn't mean it was a bust. We observed, we learned, and we reaffirmed that showing up matters. Every visit builds trust with the cats. Every meal left behind makes their lives a little easier. And every volunteer hour adds up to real, measurable change.
That’s the thing about this kind of work—it’s not always flashy. But it’s powerful. Quiet. Steady. Kind.
Final Thoughts (Because Life Isn’t Always Wrapped in a Bow)
Some days you trap five cats. Some days you trap none. But every time you show up, you’re planting seeds of trust, compassion, and change. I’m proud to stand beside people like Pat and the volunteers of Colonial Beach Humane Society, doing the work that often goes unseen—but never unappreciated.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I’d love to help,” I hope you will.
👉 DONATE NOW or FOLLOW their Facebook Page
You’re not just helping cats. You’re helping a community breathe easier, live kinder, and grow stronger—one paw at a time.
Snowy the Feral Cat Resting in the Woods
(Snowy, a beautiful white feral cat from a managed colony in Colonial Beach, VA, lounges peacefully on a fallen tree surrounded by forest greenery. Part of the local TNR efforts by the Colonial Beach Humane Society.)
