Cat caregivers are an often misunderstood group because they're seen as perpetuating the overpopulation of cats. Actually, they are helping to control the feral cat population and offering a good life to cats without a permanent home.

Cat colonies can be found in vacant lots, behind businesses, on school campuses or in parks. Many cats in colonies have never lived in a home and could not be socialized to do so. Cat colony caregivers win the confidence of these unsocialized felines through visits and regular feeding. Eventually, the cats can be lured into a humane trap, and then brought to the Hawaiian Humane Society, where they are sterilized at no charge and have a microchip ID implanted for $5.

While under anesthesia, the tip of one ear (left for males, right for females) is docked so the cat can later be identified as sterilized. After the cat recovers, the caregiver brings the cat back to its home territory.

Caregivers also socialize kittens and help find them permanent homes.

The Hawaiian Humane Society supports responsible Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage, or TNRM, a humane and effective strategy to reduce the number of feral cats and improve their quality of life.

When people trap, neuter and then return cats to their colonies, the population stabilizes and then decreases as cats live out their natural lives without reproducing. As a result, millions of kittens are spared from life on the streets and do not become a neighborhood nuisance.

TNRM relies on the dedication and compassion of caregivers who do more than feed cats. Community volunteers who use the humane society's free feral sterilization services agree to actively manage colonies, ensure veterinary care, microchip cats and help to place kittens in homes. They also are encouraged to secure permission from landowners and residents to maintain feral cat populations on private property, and feeding areas are to be kept tidy.

The program's success is due to the efforts of the more than 300 cat caregivers registered with the Hawaiian Humane Society's feral cat program, and supportive organizations such as Hawaii Cat Friends, Hawaii Cat Foundation, and others that care about the welfare of cats.

It is also essential for cat owners to take responsibility for their pets' welfare. If you can no longer keep your companion cat, don't abandon him or her — try to find your pet another home with friends, place an ad, or bring the cat to your nearest animal shelter. Newly abandoned cats may be attacked in an existing colony, which could result in life-threatening or fatal injuries. Many colony caregivers remove new cats and bring them to the humane society to see if they are lost.

Abandonment puts a cat in terrible jeopardy. Considered a form of animal cruelty, it has been illegal in Hawai'i since 1995 and is punishable by fine or jail.

SOUP

TAG NO. 08-4553

Soup is a fabulous cat who is going through a bout of trepidation. This handsome boy is black and white with pale green eyes and white whiskers. He weighs about 12 pounds and is in great shape with a nice, sleek coat. Soup is hoping for a patient owner with a relaxed lifestyle, as too much activity makes him nervous.

HOKU

TAG NO. 08-2384

Hoku has star power. This black and tan canine is heartworm positive, which is completely treatable by your private vet. Hoku would prefer a household without any keiki. She likes to lead and is somewhat forward.

KEVIN

TAG NO. 08-3821

Cute as can be, with cowlicks every which way. This little guinea pig is easily handled, but needs to return for sterilization at 5 months. Young Kevin is very active, as you might guess. In fact, he has more twists and turns than handbills in a hurricane!

These animals already may have found homes. The Hawaiian Humane Society and McInerny Dog Park, at 2700 Wai'alae Ave., are open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For directions, special events and to see more pets available for adoption, visit www.hawaiianhumane.org or call 946-2187.