Feeding Feral Cats at Apartment Complexes

5/18/2018

Feeding Feral Cats at Apartment Complexes

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Often feral cats congregate near a food source, usually a nearby dumpster. Many of the colonies Alley Cat Rescue receives calls about are those living in apartment complexes. These cats usually live at apartment complexes for a variety of reasons: cats may be abandoned by renters, there is a steady supply of garbage to scavenger through (including rats and mice), and there is more likely to be multiple feeders, among other reasons.

Colony caregivers should be careful when helping cats at an apartment complex. Management may be resistant or hostile towards the cats and may try to reprimand caretakers through fines or eviction. A common concern heard by housing managers is that feeding the feral cats will attract other wildlife species to the complex.

It is important that colony caretakers make sure the cats are safe at the complex and try and alleviate some potential concerns. Angry housing managers may call animal control, prompting an eradication plan where the cats are trapped and killed.

Here are some tips to create a positive environment for cats and people:

Make sure the cats are TNR’d (trapped-neutered-returned) which will prevent reproduction and cut down on nuisance behaviors.
Check your lease and make sure there are no provisions against feeding cats outside (if there is, talk to management about reversing this policy)
Put food out first thing in the morning and wait for the cats to eat, and then remove the bowls. Feed the cats away from high-traffic areas and somewhere that doesn’t draw attention.
Provide management with literature on caring for feral cats, especially our fact sheet on the benefits of feral cats and TNR programs.
Work with a local rescue groups to try and place friendly cats in forever homes.
If possible (and after you’ve received permission from management if necessary), post flyers on any bulletin boards providing information on the importance of spay/neuter, along with local resources for low-cost services.

54 Comments

Stacy

7/15/2018 07:36:31 pm

I wish everyone would read your website. I need help with an abandoned feral kitten !! I've called anyone and everyone and habe had no response. This whole situation is breaking my heart

Alley Cat Rescue

7/16/2018 06:42:24 am

Hello, please email acr@saveacat.org for help with this. Thank you!

Dana Clemens

9/23/2022 11:49:26 am

I just got tickets for a cat that's not mine cause I called it in that the cat attacked me . I was trying to get the cat away from my door at my apartment to take my dogs out so I took food somewhere else ...now they are charging me ( which I'm the one that the cat attacked ) gave me tickets for not registering the cat no rabis and no leash! How is this possible? I have to pay200 to have the cat cortained . This is not my cat it's a stray the owner left her and someone else is taking care of her and her babies. Please someone help me understand this .

Dianna Shaw

3/12/2023 08:11:45 am

I have reached out to several organizations for these feral cats no response I need help with them I do feed them and some I can pet and even pick up I have my own traps I'm 72 yrs old and have health problems I need someone to help me trap and also management won't allow me to return them to this location and this apt complex has residents that poison them and try to run over them the feral cats are in a parking lot on the apt premises so it's not a safe place for them at all pls reach out to me I love all animals and this is heartbreaking I need help desperately GOD bless you

Lala

5/19/2023 09:17:38 am

Please help me keep this fam of 4 I have of feral cats not to be trapped & killed. If I keep feeding the same ones I have had since I purchased my mobile home. I will be fined 75.00 getting spayed is not an option.

john keller

9/30/2019 07:59:55 am

ive. had. many. kittens from. my feral cats.all cats spayed noww.but all kitteen found homes from Craigslist....try that....good. luck

Kadee McDonald

9/12/2023 09:17:15 am

I'm not at all sure it's a good idea to give away kittens on Craigslist (or in any other way) to people you don't know. There are too many psychos out there whose only intent is to kill them.

Jacque k

2/14/2020 06:05:26 am

I'm in same situation. Management is threatening me with lease violation/eviction for feeding stray cat. I have been walking across street to park to keep off their property. Still not good enuff for them. Says if I give one stitch of water or food will get violation. Breaking my heart. I've called everyone to help me, won't loan a trap nothing. It's disgusting and frustrating. Cat comes by at dark thirty when most tenants sleeping. What's wrong with people. Doesn't bother them to watch it starve.

Clare

5/29/2020 01:26:14 am

I feel you. I got a call from my management to stop feeding the feral cats in the area.... I do not know what to do now...

Janice

10/19/2020 10:38:46 pm

Some people have no empathy for these poor, wonderful creatures. I have been feeding stray/ feral cats at the back of our apartment complex. I am lucky since the tenants don't seem to mind but I do make it a point to clean the feeding area everyday. Please I hope there has to be some sort of compromise for apartment complexes. It's inhumane just to watch them go hungry or simply ignore them.

Amber

1/29/2021 02:58:27 pm

The reason most people in an apartment complex dont want people feeding stray cats is A) the cat may have rabies
b) they have dogs and dont want the cat to scratch or bite their dog and cause them a vet bill because ppl are feeding stray cats rspecially if you put the food by the main door of the apartment building... u want to feed stray cats get a house not an apartment

Jordyn Taylor

6/13/2021 02:20:01 pm

I am so right there w u. I've been given two violations already! Pisses me off, I just don't understand how horrible people can be. Just let them starve. That's BS!!
I was able to TNR 2 and have found several great homes for kittens and cats that showed up. I was able to do that w the original manager we had, now we're on are 3rd manager. She's not nice!! Right now I have 1 friendly one, 1 that his tail was cut off but still bleeds, I have a Moma kitty that's pregnant AGAIN w 1 baby kitten from her last litter about 10 weeks ago following her around. She just had babies on march 12 less than 3mths ago. I hate living in apartments. People are such freaking tattle tails, they just can't mind their own dam business!!!
Also, I don't know how to help my 77 year old mom, she has a feral cat that comes in her house & eats/sleeps/uses litter box, but won't let her touch him, he needs to be put down, he's dying. We can't catch him, God bless my mom though she's doing what's right for these babies, she's already had to put 2 ferals down from sickness & old age. She put them down humanely & has their ashes.Its so hard for people who want to do good for these babies, I wish there was law so we cld take care of them.
Sorry for my rant, I just really feel you. Thanks😿😿

Jennifer Parrish

7/7/2022 11:38:44 am

Seriously, where did all the heartless ass hats come from? I also was feeding strays. They brought there babies to my door. Managers here kept violating me and nosy neighbors kept telling on me. Its killing me to have to hear them cry. All i do is cry. I dont know what i can do. So depressing being at home now. sucks.

Craig

4/6/2023 06:19:44 am

Well did you ever consider that people like myself may not like cats pissing, scratching, leaving paw prints and dirt piles on our vehicles? And the food and water that cat lady leaves out attracts pigeons that shit on our vehicles as well. Try having some respect and consideration for your neighbors instead of just thinking about what you feel like doing, the tenants pay rent there not the stray cats.

Brandon

7/17/2023 10:53:05 pm

I am feed some stray cats too the thing is it just me I wish I had more help I feel like I’m the only one who feed them I want to build shade for the stray cats at my apartment complex but I’m afraid someone will tell the management or the workers might see it and take it down idk what to do someone please let me know asap

MaryAnn A Michaels

7/12/2021 12:08:36 pm

I don't know why with the high population of feral cats AZ has that there are not combined sanctuaries that can be funded by grants & donations. Not feeding a feral cat would be inhumane for me. Being evicted because of it and not having a resolution to trap and save makes no sense to me.

Candy

6/15/2023 07:59:06 am

Funny because I where I live they don't want to they don't want the cats fed any longer because people complaining but it's okay for people to let their dog s*** wherever they want to and where you step in it but that's okay

Concerned Tenant

11/12/2021 09:19:46 am

I am not sure who to call or ask for help regarding this issue. There was a group of strays that were being fed by the downstairs neighbor that always hung out there, probably around 5 or 6 strays at a time. Recently, the neighboring units around us have been filled with new residents. It wasn't until just yesterday I realized that these strays have not been around. Also yesterday, I come downstairs to discover one of the strays was recently dead. I put gloves on and tried to see if there was anything I could do but realized that this poor cat must have been drowned/killed and discarded outside in the parking lot. I disposed of the lifeless body and started thinking that these strays are being killed inhumanley and there is nothing I can do to prove it. Advice welcomed...

6/15/2023 11:38:46 am

Well Candy I don't know how you can compare wild cats being fed to pet owners that don't pick up after their pets because that is like comparing apples to chickens, two completely different subjects. But for the record I don't appreciate people not picking up after their pets, however as I only have lizards at the moment I am not one of those people so wtf does that have to do with my comment? Stay on topic Candy!!!

Delonsie L Scott

2/27/2023 07:35:59 pm

I've been feeding a straight cat since I moved here 2 years ago 2021 April 27th all of a sudden we get this new property manager who hates animals and want to give me a lease violation when it's nowhere in the Lease that I cannot feed this stray black cat who's been here for years The property manager went as far as coming today at 8:30 and night to see if I was still feeding this one black cat who It's not in my least that I can't feed a cat I feed the black cat on a man hole And after he eats he goes down in the man hole The cat doesn't bother anybody I want to know what rights do The property management have tell me not to feed a stray cat Please respond back Thank you

victoria

4/16/2019 06:56:05 am

hi i have 2 ferel cats around thebuilding i live in and one is fixed and freindly he was dumped by someone in my building, he also said he would take care of it and says cat wont come inside. he is defenatly lying he has 2 other cats inside his apartment and he wanted that 3rd one. the second cat is not in good shape she is missing half her tail and some hair in other spots,looks as though she had been attacked by another animal and people in this building have been feeding them. now the superattendent son lost it just last night when he saw me feeding the cats and exploded wouldnt syop yelling at me so i could speak saying he is gunna talk to landlord and says i can be kicked out for feeding them, spca wont pick them up unless you can pay 300$ for both cats. these cats need help is it true that they can kick you out ?
im a serious animal lover if i could i would take them both in hoping to find out somthung good for them please and thx for reading spreading the word and any kind of help

4/16/2019 08:19:21 am

Hi Victoria, we're so sorry to hear about your situation. You'll need to check your lease in regard to the rules at your specific building. Try to find out if there is actually any written rule regarding feeding animals outside at your property, cats or otherwise. You could be held responsible for violating the property's rules or terms of your lease, but make sure first that those rules truly exist, and are not simply a manager or superintendent's personal preference or feeling.

You can also check our list of resources for feral cats by state here: http://www.saveacat.org/state-resources.html

Lois Rankin link

1/5/2023 03:13:50 pm

I have been feeding and providing a place for a cat that someone died and was just left. The cat is pooping on my porch and rugs. I moved the food and water dish about 200 feet away to a safe place. I’m worried the cat won’t find the food and water?

Tina

8/10/2019 04:30:10 am

My apartment manager informed us the maintenance man will be poisoning any stray cats he sees and he has before what can I do?

Jen

11/7/2019 04:34:00 pm

Intentionally killing a cat is a criminal offense in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, regardless of ownership. Anti-cruelty laws apply to all cats—companion, abandoned, lost, and feral

Sadko

2/20/2020 04:15:17 pm

My management thinks I am feeding the strays here because someone keeps leaving trays of food outside my apartment. I keep telling her it isnt me but she doesnt believe me and is threatening me with "action". I can not sit by my window all day to see who it is. Why would i come to my manager and tell her there is a plate of food there if i was the one putting it there? It doesnt make sense and i feel like i am being set up, as paranoid as that sounds. I do not want to risk eviction, i have a family to take care of, but unless i can get a picture of this person feeding them in front of my home, how do i convince her it isnt me?

Erin

2/22/2020 10:17:07 am

We installed a WYZE camera from home Depot. Not expensive and you can prove its not you leaving the food.

Paris

10/2/2020 06:59:52 pm

Why would you go and tell them in the first place? What do you have against people trying to help animals?

Elizabeth

2/2/2021 10:23:42 am

Please see my comments to Lauren. Your comment to Sadko was uncalled for

Lauren

2/2/2021 09:47:46 am

Why are you trying to get someone who’s helping these poor animals in trouble? Have a heart! You wouldn’t be in this situation if you didn’t go to management and tell them someone left food out for feral cats. I don’t feel sorry for you.

2/2/2021 09:59:43 am

Lauren, the issue isnt that they are trying to get someone in trouble. They aren't. From the post, they don't care that someone is feeding the animals. The issue is that the person doing it is leaving it outside their door. Management probably walked by and saw the dish, told them to stop, and they are simply saying it isn't them. Their management won't belive them and is threatening them with action, possibly eviction, unless they can prove it isn't them leaving the food out.

Yeah, I agree, it sucks that someone will probably get in trouble for feeding cats, but if its on private property, aka an apartment complex,and its against that owners rules, then its against the law. If whoever is leaving the food wants, they should leave it at the street. Unless their city has a law against it, it isn't illegal to feed strays on public property. But no, this random person is feeding strays on private property, and in front of someone's home, framing them as the person feeding and getting them in trouble with their management.

2/2/2021 10:12:45 am

Elizabeth it won’t let me directly reply to you but she clearly says “ Why would i come to my manager and tell her there is a plate of food there if i was the one putting it there?” she brought this on herself.

2/2/2021 10:19:34 am

True. But how i read it is management saw it, told her no feeding, she said she wasn't, management didn't believe her, and so now she tells her management any time theres a dish there trying to get her management to believe her.

Also, why does that matter? Its in front of her door. Id be pissed if someone left a random dish to feed cats in front of my door. Luckily, where I live, theres cameras. I dont have to convince management to believe me they just have to watch the tapes.

What she describes sounds to me like someone got in trouble for feeding the strays, threatened with eviction, and so they stopped feeding them.... at their own house.

On top of all that, it doesn't say whether or not she has kids or pets of her own. I personally have two cats, indoor. But I let them out occasionally on a leash. If I saw a dish of random catfood outside my door, I'd be worried someone was trying to poison my pets.

The problem here isn't the feeding of the cats. The problem is someone is using her front door to do so without her consent and is getting her in trouble

2/2/2021 10:22:55 am

Something to rememeber: this forum is to help people. Not shame them because they are seeking help. Sadko was seeking help with a stranger leaving food outside her door and getting her in trouble. The first comment was helpful. Then you and Paris tore into her and shamed her for looking out for herself. Sadko never once said she had an issue with the feeding of the cats. Just an issue with it being outside her door without her permission.

Ieshaa

4/22/2020 12:47:11 pm

I'm broken hearted I stay with my friend he has feral cats outside maybe 5 that come by. Management just threatened to file paper work if I don't stop feeding the cats. So where do I feed them? Evidently my new neighbour had complained no problem before. It's inhumane not to feed my baby feral cats I love them just like they are my own. I don't know what the lease says about feeding them. What if I put the food by the dumpster? Do you think people will complain. How about by my car in the bush - do you think the cats will find it there? It's driving me crazy I looked up my city ordinance but it doesn't state anything!

Elizabeth Beeler

4/24/2020 11:18:14 am

Hello, I have several stray, abandoned cats, not feral, that live outside my apartment. I have been feeding them, and management yesterday took my bowls and left a note "to all residents," which only I recieved, stating that if, using the security cameras, they see anyone feeding the cats, they will give them a three day eviction notice. I should be getting my bowls back today, as that is theft, but I have recieved no warning prior.

Also, I already looked through my lease agreement and no where does it say we cant feed the strays. The paper they left last night states that if they see people feeding the cats, they will consider them as owning them and will charge them the pet fee and that person must bring them inside. Again, none of that is in the please, and this is not a paper I have signed. It is a general note with no name other than that it is from management.

I plan on feeding the cats at the street on the sidewalk, which is public property. I want to know if they can legally evict me when i have done nothing wrong according to the contract i signed?

Romel Rodriguez

6/13/2020 09:42:05 pm

There is a pride of 13 cats that were abandoned in our apartments about a year ago. For over 8 months ago the apartment complex had a connex container in parking lot . they use to live under the cracks of it since moving it away from complex they started to hang on my porch. So twice a day i would feed them. So now recently they brought their young and even had two on easter day. Apartment complex has placed a lease violation because they claim if I feed them they now belong to me. How is that even possible and can anyone help me . I'm in Houston Texas

Betty Ann Hermosillo link

8/22/2020 09:51:33 pm

I got a violation letter very vague
Taken action: leaving food outside.

Any activities that attracts feral animals to our property is prohibited. Leaving food outdoors can and will attract wild animals. I have trapped over 30 tnr cats myself and just mommy and 5 kittens last month with help from St. Francis. How can I still feed on the sidewalk or street??? Poor cats are waiting and starving!!! I need help

8/23/2020 01:02:48 am

Hey, I would check with your city laws first, easiest way is calling the non-emergency police number, but where I live, as long as the food is not on the property, i.e. on the sidewalk, you can feed them. And by on the sidewalk, I mean the street side walk. Where I live, that area is owned by the city and therefore businesses and apartments cannot impose actions against you for doing it. If they do, and you have the same laws, you can fight it and you will win.

Rent in Budapest link

12/17/2020 08:11:45 am

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Zyna

12/27/2020 05:14:39 am

I own apt on first floor with balcony. It is ok to wild cat who been in this aria for years?
HOA person send me email to not feed the cats any longer and throw the water bowl and food to the garbich

What can I do ?

Pls help
Zyna.

5/19/2023 05:58:37 am

No it absolutely is not okay, don't do it.

Iggy

5/8/2021 06:54:08 pm

Hi I feed feral cats in our Apartment complex. There is a no pet policy at our apartment complex. I am an animal lover. Recently a neighbour got a Whippet pup. It chases the older mother cat who is scared of her life of it.The Whippet's owner said that it is only playing but that the cat scatched the pups nose recently. I researched on internet about Whippets and read that they are unreliable around cats and can kill them. What should I do?

Lisa A Means

5/21/2021 04:25:08 pm

I'm a member of peta and humane society and I just got told that if I keep feeding the cats a nasty letter will be given to the owner. In a trailer park. In mesa scierra Vista? So I'm upset these poor cats in this heat I can't stop. My heart hurts thinking that they will have no water or food. I'm trying to think of some solution.

5/19/2023 05:57:05 am

The solution is rather simple if you can manage to grasp it, stop feeding the wild and stray animals as they will manage for themselves like they did before there were Peta members to feed them. You have to understand that your need to do good only makes the problems worse so stop trying to make yourself feel better and leave them alone.

Valentina

9/18/2022 05:24:50 pm

Hello, I am seeking help on how to proceed with my situation:

I have been helping my neighbor feed and care for the stray cats living in the basement of our building. We have been feeding these cats for years, our oldest outdoor cat is 10 years old. They’ve all been spayed and vaccinated.

Now our landlord doesn't want them anywhere near (not in the basement, not even outside in cat houses next to the building). He even demands that we stop feeding them. I have no idea what to do, I tried talking to him several times, but without any success.

Can you please give me any advice or help on how to proceed? it's Brooklyn, NY

5/19/2023 05:51:06 am

Try obeying your landlords rules.

Kim Strickland link

10/12/2022 03:19:11 pm

I'm going through the same thing with my landlord. I don't understand how people can be so thoughtless about these precious animals that would abandoned by their owner. They don't harm anybody here and feeding them shouldn't be an eviction kind offense. I live in Norfolk Housing and Redevelopment so it's government I'm dealing with I have no money to contact the lawyer. But as an animal lover and an activist it is killing me not to feed these cats. And they're going to call Animal Control and remove the cats and probably kill him. I have made friends with one of them he lets me pet him all the time I feel like my rights are being violated as an animal activist.

12/21/2022 07:18:37 pm

Stop feeding the cats. I have cats too indoor and have taken them off the street why don't you do the same. Don't come off as I feel so sorry for them. Take them in your home. You create a way bigger problem by feeding them. Feral cats know how to hunt but why would they want to hunt if you keep putting food outside. Just like racoons. They cause problems for people that have inside cats&dogs because your tracking these feral cats feces&urine in your Home have lots of fleas on them. Endangering them to owners cats and dogs that live inside to diseases let alone diseasess to PEOPLE TOXOPASMOIS. Also Feral cats can have rabies racoons always show up for the dinner party along with other rodents.

Shannon

5/16/2023 08:21:31 pm

Not everyone can take in cats.also there are 16 cats in my neighborhood.be real I can't put 16 cats in my one bedroom apartment lol.I moved here in 2021 & the cats where here when I moved in.none of the humane societies or rescues will take them.I was told they don't take feral cats because their not adoptable

5/17/2023 02:35:48 am

It's not my concern whether everyone can take in cats or not, if you have 16 cats roaming your neighborhood then maybe the problem is do gooders feeding them. Stop feeding the wild animals in your neighborhood it only makes the problem worse.

Iris Smith link

7/17/2023 09:42:50 pm

I appreciate you mentioning checking your lease to see if there are any clauses against feeding cats outside. My friend is looking for a rental home where she can bring her pets. I'll advise her to get assistance from a residential lease specialist.

Calgary groomers link

7/26/2023 09:15:10 am

Despite his jovial nature, Max also possesses a protective instinct, which becomes evident when he senses potential threats around the house. He is quick to alert me if he hears unfamiliar noises, and his barks serve as a deterrent to any unwelcome visitors. However, he is also incredibly gentle with young children, recognizing their fragility and adapting his behavior accordingly.

Cindy

8/1/2023 12:03:21 pm

You know how stupid one statement was oh it might have rabies and we don't want to bite our dogs but it's okay for your those two crap on the property and you step in it because they're too lazy to pick it up I have a neighbor that has a pit bull that lets run loose but that's okay correct and I feel you I was told I couldn't feed on city property so I know what you're saying people are heartless and don't give a rat's ass about anything or anybody but themselves

Feeding Feral Cats at Apartment Complexes

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