In Kitsap County, an increase of cats roaming neighborhoods, alleyways and business districts contributes to overpopulation that can spiral out of control.

To combat that purr-fect storm, the Kitsap Humane Society relies on a Trap-Neuter-Return program, a method of stabilizing feral cat populations. The approach involves trapping community cats, spaying or neutering them, vaccinating them, and then returning them to their original outdoor homes.

“With cats, they’re not going to survive if you relocate them to an unknown area,” said Lauryn Sauer, KHS animal control officer. “They have the best survival rate being returned back to the community they grew up in.”

Sauer, who has worked in animal control for 2 1/2 years, is a dedicated advocate for TNR. She has personally trapped and facilitated surgeries for more than 100 cats, while also rescuing over 100 kittens young enough to be socialized and adopted through the humane society. However, the numbers continue to rise.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t call it a cat problem—I’d call it a people problem,” she said. “A lot of the community doesn’t have education on TNR or spaying and neutering their pets, and that’s where it all starts.”

Community cats—sometimes referred to as feral, stray or unowned—often cluster in areas where food and shelter are available. Sauer said the colonies she encounters typically originate from a single unfixed cat that was allowed to roam. Within months, that cat and its offspring multiply, and within a year, an unmanaged colony can grow exponentially.

“Cats can start breeding at just four to six months old,” Sauer said. “A single female can have up to four litters a year, with five to nine kittens per litter. So from one cat, that’s potentially 20 to 30 more within a year—and that cycle keeps repeating.”

During peak breeding season in spring and summer, calls about kittens and growing colonies surge. Sauer has seen some colonies in Kitsap range from 50 to 70 cats in a single location. Without intervention, many cats suffer from starvation, disease and inbreeding-related health issues.

Unlike adoption programs, which focus on finding homes for socialized cats, TNR provides a sustainable solution for feral cats that are unlikely to adjust to life indoors. The process also prevents the birth of new litters, reducing the overall population over time.

To mark cats that have been sterilized and vaccinated, TNR uses ear-tipping—a procedure where a small portion of a cat’s ear is clipped while under anesthesia. In Kitsap, males have their left ear tipped; females their right ears.

Sauer said one of the biggest challenges she faces is public perception. While some community members support TNR, others view it as unnecessary or believe feral cats should be left to reproduce naturally. “A lot of people don’t understand the negative effects of unchecked population growth,” she said. “They think the cats are fine out there, but they don’t see the life-threatening conditions—starvation, infections, inbreeding. It’s heartbreaking.”

Despite the challenges, Sauer continues to trap and return cats on her own time. “It’s a lot of work,” she said. “I do it by myself, but I wish more people would step up to be an advocate for the cats.”

TNR in Kitsap is primarily a volunteer-driven effort. While individual community members sometimes cover the cost of spay and neuter surgeries—typically $30 to $40 per cat—much of the funding comes from KHS.

Sauer believes more education could lead to increased community involvement and financial support. “I think if more people understood the importance of TNR, they’d be willing to donate or help with trapping efforts,” she said.

Residents who notice a growing cat colony in their neighborhoods are encouraged to contact KHS or a local rescue organization to explore TNR options. Sauer stressed the importance of early intervention. “It starts with one cat, but in a year, it’s 20,” she said. “The sooner we act, the better the outcome for the animals.”

As long as the colonies exist, Sauer will continue her work—one cat at a time. “I love doing it,” she said. “And I’m going to keep going for as many colonies as I can.”