Humane Feral Cat Management in Jackson County

Cascades Humane Society's Forgotten Felines program offers Jackson County residents a compassionate, effective solution for managing feral cat populations — through Trap-Neuter-Return, not removal.

How the Forgotten Felines Program Works

Forgotten Felines is a community-based Trap-Neuter-Return program designed to humanely reduce feral and free-roaming cat populations across Jackson County over time. Participants trap feral cats in their area and bring them to CHS, where each cat is evaluated, vaccinated against rabies, and sterilized by our veterinarian. After recovery, cats are returned to their familiar outdoor habitat under the lifelong care of a caretaker. The program costs $25 per cat, which includes the spay or neuter procedure and a rabies vaccine. A frontline flea application is also available at the time of surgery for an additional $5.

What You Need to Know Before You Participate

Feral cats are free-roaming outdoor animals that do not allow handling, so the program has specific safety requirements for drop-off. All cats must arrive in a live trap — no exceptions, regardless of the cat's temperament — and feral kittens must be at least two months old before they can be scheduled. CHS will provide guidance on how to safely trap, care for, and release the cats, and traps are available to rent directly from CHS.


  • All feral cats must be brought to CHS in a live trap with a towel covering it — this is required for the safety of our medical team
  • Traps can be rented from CHS for a $75 credit card deposit, returned when the equipment is brought back; cash payments are accepted but refunds will be issued by cashier's check within one to two weeks
  • Drop-off is at 8:00 AM and pick-up is at 2:00 PM at the back entrance of the building unless otherwise noted at the time of scheduling
  • All cats processed through the program receive an ear tip — a small, harmless notch that serves as the universal identifier that a cat has been sterilized through a TNR program

How to Support Forgotten Felines

The Forgotten Felines program runs on community donations, and there are several ways to help — even if you're not trapping cats yourself. Monetary contributions help offset surgery costs for cats whose caretakers cannot cover the full fee, and catnip pillows sold at local businesses raise dedicated funding for the program.

Monetary Donation

Make a donation online through our Give page or mail a contribution to CHS at 1515 Carmen Drive, Jackson, MI 49202

Catnip Pillow

Purchase a $2 catnip pillow at any of the participating local businesses listed below — all proceeds go directly to the Forgotten Felines program

  • Participating Businesses

    Animal Hospital of Vandercook Lake, Blackman Animal Clinic, Brooklyn Road Veterinary Clinic, Cascades Humane Society, Chelsea Veterinary Hospital, Columbia Animal Clinic, Creature Comfort Pet Resort, Lane Veterinary Clinic, Personal Touch Grooming Salon, Pet Supplies Plus, and Tractor Supply Company on East Michigan Avenue and Airport Road.

If your business would like to sell catnip pillows and support the program, call CHS at (517) 787-7387

Forgotten Felines Questions, Answered

  • What if I can't trap the cat in time for my scheduled appointment?

    Contact CHS as soon as you know — our team will reschedule you for the next available appointment date. Trapping timelines can be unpredictable, and we'd rather reschedule than have you rush or stress. Call us at (517) 787-7387 during open hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 to 6:00 PM.

  • Does the cat have to come in a live trap?

    Yes, without exception. All cats must arrive in a live trap for the Forgotten Felines program, regardless of temperament. This is a program policy and a safety requirement for our medical team. If you need to rent a trap, CHS has them available for a $75 refundable credit card deposit.

  • What is ear-tipping and does it hurt the cat?

    Ear-tipping is a small notch removed from the tip of a cat's ear while they are under anesthesia — it is painless and heals quickly. It is the universal sign that a cat has been spayed or neutered through a TNR program, allowing caretakers, animal control officers, and shelter staff to identify sterilized cats at a glance without recapturing them. CHS performs an ear tip on every cat processed through the Forgotten Felines program.

  • Where do I drop off and pick up my cat, and what time?

    Drop-off is at 8:00 AM and pick-up is at 2:00 PM at the back entrance of the CHS building at 1515 Carmen Drive in Jackson, unless you are told otherwise at the time of scheduling. Make sure your cat is in a live trap with a towel covering it when you arrive.

  • How is the Forgotten Felines program funded?

    The program is supported entirely by community donations — CHS receives no government funding for Forgotten Felines. You can donate online through our Give page or by mailing a contribution to 1515 Carmen Drive, Jackson, MI 49202. You can also support the program by purchasing a $2 catnip pillow at any of the participating local businesses listed on this page.