The health of our neighborhoods starts with the health of our animals.

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Community cats spayed/neutered and vaccinated

2020 was a year of uncertainty. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we made the decision to postpone Changing the Streets’ scheduled events and shift focus from our One Health Clinic goal to the stray cats of Macon, Georgia.

Over the past few years, Middle Georgia and the City of Macon have been heavily impacted by economic changes leading to a higher rate of unemployment than the rest of the country. Currently, almost one in four Macon residents live in poverty. Because the well-being of our communities is so interconnected with the health and safety of our pets, these economic challenges have contributed to a high number of feral cats. Without an intervention, populations of strays will balloon, leaving these animals without proper shelter, food, or medical attention.

Reducing strays on the streets of Macon and Middle Georgia

We consider an abundance of stray animals in a neighborhood a One Health issue. While cats are not a common source of disease for people, they do impact our neighborhood by leaving behind waste and hunting the songbirds that keep mosquito populations in check.

In addition to these ecological concerns, the sight of strays is heartbreaking. When domesticated animals are left to fend for themselves outdoors, the entire community suffers. That’s why we are pursuing community-based initiatives that humanely reduce the number of feral cats in Macon and the rest of Middle Georgia.

Spay and neuter services for feral cats

Changing the Streets has proudly partnered with the Macon-based organization SAFE (Saving Animals from Euthanasia) to spay/neuter and vaccinate our community cats. These efforts target colonies of feral cats in high-need areas and utilize a method known as TNVR:

  • Trap
  • Neuter
  • Vaccinate
  • Return

By providing care to the feral cats living in Macon and the rest of Middle Georgia, we seek to “Lock the Block” by preventing future litters of homeless kittens within and without feral cat communities. To learn more about the effectiveness of TNVR in other communities click here.

Partner with us to help feral cats

It all starts with your kindness. Our efforts to improve the health of our community by meeting the needs of its animals are made possible by your generosity. Learn more about how you can join us in our mission to provide compassionate care to our community cats.

We believe “A small change can make a big difference.”

– Ankita Singhal

MAKE AN IMPACT