RocKats

What TNVRM Looks Like in Action

Zamira Guerra — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:46:32 +0000

TNVR is just the beginning. The real impact comes from TNVRM: Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return, and Manage.

Colony caretakers across Rochester manage their colonies every day, and RocKats TNRs their cats and supports them as needed. At the same time, we manage several colonies ourselves. Here’s a snapshot of just ONE of our managed colonies:

2023

A request to TNR 3 cats led us to finding more at a nearby dumpster. So we got started!

39 cats trapped
22 returned to colony
15 adopted
2 returned to owners after spay

2024

16 cats trapped/retrapped
8 adopted
3 returned to colony
3 returned to owners after neuter
2 fixed colony cats retrapped for medical intervention (one rehomed, one euthanized)

2025

19 cats trapped/retrapped
8 adopted
5 returned to colony
3 returned to owners after spay
2 fixed colony cats retrapped for grooming or medical intervention (one returned to colony, one rehomed)
1 fixed colony cat brought in for excessive sweetness

The Impact

In just 3 years, 69 cats in this 8-block target area were spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and assessed. Many were adopted into homes. Owned cats showing up to eat were fixed too.

Today, at this site, we feed 10 regulars daily. Others wander in and out and eat at other feeders. We monitor them, care for them, and intervene when needed. Every so often we place trail cams to see who we’re not seeing. We know the cats. The community knows us. This is what TNVRM looks like in the city. Fewer cats on the streets. Healthier cats in colonies. Litters prevented. Communities strengthened. Heartbreak, worry, and frustration. Joy and satisfaction.

This is what TNVRM looks like in the city. Fewer cats on the streets. Healthier cats in colonies. Litters prevented. Communities strengthened. Heartbreak, worry, and frustration. Joy and satisfaction.

Thank you to our fosters and the rescue partners who helped make happy endings possible for the friendly cats in this colony: Keller’s Kats, Kitten Korner, Right Meow, Flower City Kitties, Rochester Animal Services, and Lollypop Farm.

Your donations help the cats and are greatly appreciated

Meet Major and Lucille: Perfect Solo Valentines

Zamira Guerra — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 19:42:00 +0000

Are you currently cat-less and in need of some kitty companionship? We have several beauties who would love to be your one and only valentine.

Major is a quiet, gentle boy who had a rough start in life and has been waiting two long years for his special someone. He’s uber chill, loves to be near you for some chin scratches, and enjoys having his silky soft locks brushed. Major is approx 5 yrs old, neutered, vaccinated, FIV+ and ready to meet you

Lucille is a vocal, confident girl who has an opinion on everything. She somehow found herself out on the street where she tolerated other kitties until she didn’t. Lucille’s about 5 yrs old, spayed, vaccinated, negative for FIV and feline leukemia and eager to tell you why she’s so special

Major and Lucille need to be solo kitties.
Contact us at [email protected] if interested in adopting and please share.

24 Cats, Countless Acts of Kindness

Zamira Guerra — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:37:00 +0000

Some pics of the 24 cats we helped in January. Each one has a story we often never know in full. We want to thank every kind person out there who is feeding, offering warm shelter, contacting us for help with the injured, ill, and abandoned, and making the decision to take a colony cat indoors after they get their basic vet care. We working with all of you during these cold months.

Thank you to those who donated to Bobby’s & Nelson’s vet costs. We met our goal to have these more expensive bills paid in full thanks to your amazing generosity We could not do this without you.

Two Special Cats, Two Big Second Chances

Zamira Guerra — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 19:34:00 +0000

In addition to this incredibly tough winter, we’ve started the year with some big vet bills. These two very special boys need your help

Bobby showed up at a colony with a badly injured right hind leg. In February he’ll have surgery to amputate dislocated toes and biopsy his poorly-healing paw. Estimated cost is $1471. He hasn’t let any of this dull his sweet demeanor and always wants to be right near his foster mom

Nelson was surviving near a dumpster and kept his distance from his feeder. Once trapped we discovered he’s a total lovebug. This week he had his painful blind eye removed. Cost $547. Nelson loves cuddling with his foster mom, kittens and even puppies. Not the shy guy he presented as at the dumpster.

Every donation helps these boys and other cats in our care get their second chance. Thank you for your support

Winter TNR Takes Extra Care

Zamira Guerra — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 19:31:00 +0000

We make a lot of decisions when we do TNR but during the winter there are even more. Each week, we carefully prioritize which cats can safely fill our spay/neuter spots, those with injuries, abandoned cats not acclimated to the outdoors, or friendly cats who won’t be returning outside. Our holding space is small – another limiting factor.

A huge THANK YOU to feeders who can offer indoor access during the cold months. You make a lifesaving difference.
Stubby is one of the lucky ones. After lots of short indoor visits, he received care at Lollypop Farm (@lollypopfarm ) and is now recovering from his neuter and paw injury in his feeder’s home.

With a warm space, the right setup, and safe practices, these cats can be protected even in bitter cold. We’ve included a picture of our basic “feral” setup and we’re happy to offer guidance and support.

Endless gratitude to our volunteers for longer hold times and loving care.

Your donations help make this possible. Any amount is greatly needed and appreciated.

Ash Adams: Private Investigator Turned House Cat

Zamira Guerra — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 19:28:00 +0000

Ash Adams here. Private Investigator. Secret Agent. Scoping out my new digs at Park Ave Pets 993 Monroe Ave. I’m a gentle giant who is ready to retire. My days on the streets are over. Stop by. Say hello. Adopt me

Biscotti and Moonbeam Are Looking for the Right Home

Zamira Guerra — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 19:24:00 +0000

Biscotti and Moonbeam are enjoying some greenery on this cold, snowy day.

Biscotti loves people and has a big heart—he’s friendly, curious, and just needs a little help polishing his kitty manners and learning to share space with other cats. Moonbeam is the opposite: he adores other cats and would thrive with a feline friend, but he’s still learning to trust people and will do best with someone patient and kind.

We love them both and know the right home is out there
Interested in meeting them? Send us a message for details, and please share!

Helping Cats Stay Warm This Winter

Zamira Guerra — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:23:00 +0000

Thank you to all the volunteers who continue to devote many hours to making winter shelters and distributing them to cats in need. Remember to elevate, stabilize, weight them down, position out of the wind in a quiet and safe place, and stuff only with straw. Don’t forget the catnip to entice them in .

From Colony Cat to Cherished Companion: Mr. Wilson’s Story of Rescue and Love

Zamira Guerra — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 19:07:00 +0000

Mr. Wilson’s journey from colony cat to cherished companion is beautifully told in this zine drawn by Gretchen Ettlie—his rescuer and one of our dedicated board members. From the streets to a forever home, his story is a reminder of what compassion can do. Thank you, Gretchen, for giving this sweet boy a better life and for sharing his story so lovingly

Meet Cody at Park Ave Pets

Zamira Guerra — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:04:00 +0000

Meet Cody at Park Ave Pets (993 Monroe Ave). This handsome boy showed up at one of our RocKats-managed colonies and his days on the street are over. Cody is now neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, flea-treated, dewormed, negative for FIV and feline leukemia and as sweet as can be