A feral cat colony is a group of free‑roaming cats that live together in a specific area — such as behind buildings, in alleyways, or in neighborhoods. These cats are usually not socialized to humans and survive by finding food and shelter where they can.

Although feral cats aren’t adoptable like pets, many communities practice TNR (Trap‑Neuter/Spay‑Return) to care for them. By humanely trapping, spaying or neutering, vaccinating, and ear‑tipping them, volunteers help keep the colony healthy and prevent it from growing.

With a stable, fixed group of cats, feral cat colonies can live out their lives safely and help reduce the overall population of homeless cats over time.

An ear tip — a small, painless portion of the cat’s ear that is removed while the cat is under anesthesia — is a universally recognized sign that a feral or community cat has been spayed or neutered and vaccinated. This allows volunteers and animal control to easily identify which cats have been through a TNR (Trap‑Neuter/Spay‑Return) program from a distance, so they aren’t unnecessarily trapped again.

The ear tip is a badge of care, making it an important marker in efforts to humanely reduce cat overpopulation and keep the cats and the community healthier.

A queen cat is the term used for an unspayed female cat, especially when she is pregnant or nursing kittens. The word “queen” reflects her role in reproduction — she can have multiple litters of kittens each year if she isn’t spayed, making her a central figure in the growth of feral cat populations.

In the context of feral cat colonies, spaying a queen is one of the best ways to control overpopulation, reduce the strain on resources, and help the colony stay healthier and more manageable.