For many people, a stray cat is a fleeting sight. For the volunteers with the Columbia Cat Action Team (CCAT), every cat represents another chance to prevent thousands of future kittens from being born on the streets. Since forming in 2022, the nonprofit has been tackling Columbia's growing feral cat population through a humane trap, neuter, vaccinate and return (TNVR) program.

"There was no population control at the time, and the estimate was at least 1,000 cats in the Columbia borough area itself," said Liz Ross, who is the co-chair of CCAT with Evan Himes. "There was an obvious need to do something."

When CCAT formed, volunteers had no local veterinary partner and often traveled long distances to have cats spayed or neutered before returning them to the community.

Just over three years ago, CCAT formed a partnership with the Columbia Animal Shelter, where an on-site vet helps the nonprofit with its mission.

"CCAT is a volunteer-run organization working to humanely reduce Columbia's feral cat population through trap, neuter, vaccinate and return while finding adoptive homes whenever possible," Ross shared. "Our goal is to sterilize or home 70% of the community cats in the 17512 zip code."

Beyond TNVR, CCAT may take things a step further, evaluating each cat and sending adoptable ones to the shelter.

CCAT also focuses on kittens.

"We try to get people who are willing to socialize kittens until they're about four months old and can be adopted," Ross said. "But there are hundreds of kittens born each year, and we can only take in 30 to 40. Our space is very limited."

Still, she noted that CCAT is grateful for the relationship the group has formed with Columbia Animal Shelter.

"Every TNR rescue would love to have this relationship," she said. "We have a special partnership with them that gives us the flexibility and support to be able to fulfill our mission."

Ross acknowledged that solving the feral cat issue is a huge challenge.

"It may feel overwhelming when you look at it statistically," she said. "Two cats can produce thousands of kittens in a few years. It's astronomical. But if you don't start somewhere, it will never be under control, and we're trapping as many cats as we can."

She underscored why the community should care about feral cats.

"It's really a public health issue," she explained. "When you have unvaccinated cats, you run the risk of them spreading disease first and foremost." Feral cats can also affect local wildlife, bring in noise and odors and damage property.

She said the biggest obstacle facing the organization is finding volunteers who want to help.

"We are especially looking for people who have trapping interest," she said. "They do not need experience, because we can train them, but they have to want to help in a very deep way. This is a hard job. It's physically demanding, and it's emotionally demanding."

Currently, CCAT traps on Mondays and Tuesdays of the first and third week of the month, typically spending five to six hours on the work each day.

"It's time consuming, but we will work with people who want to help," Ross said. "If someone wants to volunteer and they can only do one day a month instead of four, that's OK. We'll take the help."

She added that people can help with CCAT's mission simply by communicating with the organization.

"The general public can call us and say, 'We have an outdoor cat we're feeding. Can you put it on the list for TNR?'" she said. "It's a free program, and we have a long list, but if you don't get that cat on the list, it's never going to happen, and the problem will never be solved. ... If you're going to feed a stray cat, get them TNR'd."

Since it began, CCAT has made an impact on the Columbia community.

"We trap an average of 200 cats every year," Ross said. "Once we go to a location, we do not stop until we have every cat spayed, neutered and vaccinated. Over time, those colonies slowly start to decrease in size."

Support for CCAT can range from hands-on work trapping cats to providing monetary or item donations, particularly for kitten care.

"We need people to provide transportation for appointments. We could use help with fundraising and public outreach," Ross said. "If someone wants to help us, we can match their interest with our needs."

She noted that CCAT strives to publicize its work and bring awareness to its mission through local events and by participating in countywide activities.

Over Labor Day weekend, CCAT will be the beneficiary of the Heart of Lancaster Arts and Craft Show held at Root's Market in Manheim.

Supporting CCAT can be as simple as making a phone call when a stray cat is spotted.

"Be a good neighbor and make the effort to help with this problem," Ross said. "If we all work together, we can make things better for these cats and for the people who live in Columbia."

To learn more about CCAT, visit http://www.columbia-cats.com or call 717-693-0291.