How you can help
Interested in volunteering?
Since we don't have a facility, volunteering with CRA is a little different, check to see if you're able to help with any of these opportunities:
Can't commit? Here's how else you can help!
Have you noticed that your neighborhood has a lot of posts about lost or found cats? Check out our pages on locating lost and found cats then help spread the word with your neighbors about paper collars, starting a feeding station, etc. so we can help combat so much of the misinformation online that sadly costs the lives of so many cats from well-meaning folks,
Join our newsletter (sent once or twice a year, we won't spam you or sell your data),
Like us on social media and share posts regarding wildlife, environmental dangers to animals, how to safely feed cat colonies, etc. in your local groups. Engaging with content means more people who might need help can see our PSA's.
Get your cat microchipped! Even if they don't go outside, it is a literal lifesaver. Already have one? Awesome, double-check that it is registered with all of your updated contact information so the company can actually reach you! Don't rely on the shelter/breeder having done this step for you, it is best to be absolutely sure it was done and that there were no errors entering the information, after all - we're only human and mistakes can happen. Microchipping is one of the most important things you can do as a pet lover, share this information with your family, friends, and neighbors so they know about it too before a situation happens.
Make sure your pets are up to date on their vaccinations. Massachusetts has several rabies-positive cases every year and it is extremely serious. There are usually several low or no-cost options for owners with some Google searching or asking your town animal control.
Are you a sewer? Trap covers for the Trucatch 30LTD size traps are very helpful! Learn how here
Trapper Application
Do you have a:
Reliable car capable of transporting several traps (30" long x 11" high x 9" wide) to/from different towns? (safely, without it being a truck or inside an enclosed trunk)
Somewhat flexible schedule allowing you to wait for cats to go in traps, talk to the colony caretakers, drop off/pick up to/from vet clinics and shelters, and
Quiet area in your home (preferably with a door that closes) for before/after surgery where the cats stay inside the traps for approximately 5 days?
If so, you can make a HUGE difference in quality of life for cats living in your neighborhood and surrounding communities. We work all around Eastern MA including Greater Boston and South Shore, most towns along 93/95/24/495 and can partner you with existing trappers so you have a network to be supported by. Our trapping team educate colony caretakers to ensure the free-roaming cat population is managed and cared for.
You can be a part of making a difference by joining the largest TNR-focused resource in the area!
Transporter Application
Do you have a:
Reliable car capable of driving several cats in traps or carriers (safely, without being enclosed in a trunk or an open truck bed) for various trips
Schedule that might allow for weekday morning drop-offs and/or afternoon pick-ups at vets (clinics typically have 8-9 AM surgery drop offs and 2-4 PM pick ups but there is variation) or perhaps midday shelter transfers (from a trapper's house to one of our many partnered shelters that take friendlies)
Examples of trips we are in desperate need of help in to/from:
Milton to Salisbury
Brockton to Watertown
Somerville/Cambridge to Brockton
Jamaica Plain to Hull or Scituate
Brockton or Milton to Hopkinton
Anywhere in Greater Boston to Springfield
Milton to MSPCA's Jamaica Plain shelter
Boston to Worcester
MEDICAL foster Application
Do you have:
A reliable vehicle capable of driving cats in traps or carriers (safely, without being enclosed in a trunk or an open truck bed) for exams and follow up appointments to our vet that sees sick/injured cats, usually in Watertown?
Schedule that might allow 8-9 AM drop off and 2-5 PM pick up times (but can be varied)
Ability to communicate often especially via texting, with good quality smart phone pictures/videos for check-ins
Has a room of some kind closed off from pets and children so their food, water, litter box can be closely monitored
Time to commit to daily litter box scooping, food/water monitoring, recording in a journal if necessary, observing any decline/improvement