Carrick Colony Pilot Program
A Humane Solution for Pittsburgh’s Community Cats
Steel City Whisker Rescue is launching a 12-month pilot program focused on a stabilized feral cat colony in the Carrick neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Our goal is to develop a humane transition model that safely reduces outdoor colony populations while protecting the cats that depend on them.
The Situation
The Carrick colony currently includes approximately 25–30 sterilized community cats cared for by a long-term caregiver.
While reproduction has been successfully stopped through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), the colony now faces several challenges:
• Increasing neighborhood opposition
• Caregiver safety concerns
• Limited placement options for feral cats
• Risk of forced or unmanaged displacement
Steel City Whisker Rescue believes colonies in situations like this deserve structured and humane solutions rather than sudden removal or abandonment.
Our Structured Transition Model
Behavioral Evaluation
Cats receive structured observation to determine socialization potential and placement options.
Adoption Placement
Cats that demonstrate social or adaptable behavior may transition into permanent adoptive homes.
Working Cat Placement
Cats that remain unsocial may be placed as working/barn cats where they can live safely while providing natural rodent control.
Managed Colony Stabilization
When relocation is not appropriate, cats may remain part of a stabilized colony environment.
Year One Goals
• Transition 8–12 cats from the outdoor colony
• Reduce visible colony population
• Support the long-term caregiver
• Improve neighborhood relations
• Prevent unmanaged displacement