Free Roaming Cats (aka Community Cats) Program

Outdoor cats, often called feral cats or community cats, are domestic cats who live outdoors and do not have a clear owner. They are cats that have been trapped, neutered, vaccinated, and returned to the location that they were caught to effectively manage South Carolina's overpopulation of feral cats. 

On March 6, 2023, County Council passed a resolution adopting rules and regulations regarding the Code of Ordinances in reference to the Free Cat Roaming Program. 

To better address the issue of stray cat overpopulation in Dorchester County, Neighborhood Services advocates Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) to help reduce nuisance cat complaints, animal disease in communities, overall euthanasia rate, and increase compliance with our roaming cat ordinance.

The County has partnered with Dorchester Paws to perform spay/neuter services for a minimal cost to further support TNR. Residents are encouraged to trap cats and take them to be spayed/neutered to Dorchester Paws for a nominal donation that helps to offset the costs for these services. The resident is then responsible to retrieve the cats and return them to where they came from.

This program is based on appointments; cats CANNOT be dropped off without an appointment.

If you are interested in getting the cats around you fixed, email Dorchester Paws for more information: petsupport@dorchesterpaws.org

The County is also interested in partnering with local veterinarian clinics for a program to provide spay/neuter services. If interested, please contact Animal Control. 

What is a Free Roaming Cat? 

In Dorchester County, a free roaming cat is a cat that meets all four of these criteria as noted in County Ordinance Chapter 4, Section 4-20.

1. A cat that has been spayed or neutered
2. A cat that has been microchipped.
3. Vaccinated for rabies.
4. Has been ear tipped.

Friendly or feral, these cats are typically fed by a human source in the community. That source can be anything from a neighbor, a caretaker from another community, or a dumpster/trash can. A large number of free roaming cats concentrated to one area is known as a colony.

What Benefits Are There To Free Roaming Cats?

Being territorial animals, cats tend to guard their territories from other cats.

Returning free roaming cats after TNR reduces the likelihood of zoonotic disease, most notably rabies, in the communities.

Returned cats also diminish complaint causing behaviors such as fighting, yowling, spraying, and roaming in the community.

What If I Don’t Want a Free Roaming Cat At My House?

These cats can be easily identified by a diagonal cut on a single ear. Even though these cats are both healthy and sterile, they can still be considered uninvited guests at your home and yard. 

Non-lethal and humane deterrents may be used to keep cats away from your residence. Examples include:

• Ultrasonic Repellants
• Motion-activated sprinklers
• Topical Sprays and granules
• Tactile Deterrents
• Plants that make cat repelling scents (Rosemary)

For information on the TNR process, contact Dorchester Paws SPCA: (12pm-5pm Mon-Sun) at 843-508-8162 or petsupport@dorchesterpaws.org.

For more information about the Roaming Cat Program, contact Dorchester County Animal Control at 843-832-0015.