Junior’s Story: How One Community Cat Changed the Way I See Prevention
by Lisa Alexander | November 11th, 2026 | 12:12 pm
Program Coordinator Luz Godinez shares how a little black-and-white community cat—and the work of Trap-Neuter-Return—changed the way her family sees community cats.
Growing up, I never considered myself a cat person. My family always had dogs, and I never really had much exposure to cats. Before I started working in animal welfare, I also didn’t fully understand the importance of spaying and neutering. Fast forward to today, and I practically live and breathe spay and neuter! It’s funny how life changes. My own experience has taught me just how important education is, especially when it comes to animals we may not fully understand.
Today, my family has four cats, all of whom started out as strays, each with their own unique story of how they found their way into our hearts.
Our first cat found us in Mexico, showing up at our doorstep on the very first day we arrived. Our second was a tiny 13-ounce kitten I pulled out of the fender of one of our volunteers’ cars. Then came Panson, a classic tomcat who appeared on my parents’ doorstep. He was hissy, scratchy and full of attitude—except when it came to my sister. We all thought she was a little crazy when she decided to bring him into our home. Today, that once-feisty tomcat is her baby, a sweet, chubby-cheeked boy who lounges on her pillow and rubs against the legs of anyone who enters his kingdom.
A few months after Panson was TNR’d, another little visitor began showing up at my parents’ doorstep. She was a timid, skittish black-and-white teenage kitten who looked remarkably similar to Panson, right down to some of his funny mannerisms. Naturally, we started calling her Junior.
Shortly after her arrival, Junior was trapped, spayed and returned through Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR. That’s also when we discovered that our little Junior was a girl! And just like that, Junior became part of our family—although entirely on her own terms.
A Little Cat With a Big Personality
Junior has called my parents’ property home since 2023, and while she has absolutely no interest in becoming an indoor cat, she has certainly made herself comfortable.
Every morning, Junior patiently sits on the welcome mat, perfectly positioned in front of our Ring camera. That’s her way of letting us know she’s ready for breakfast. My kids sometimes fight over who gets to feed her, but Junior has her own routine, and she expects us to follow it.
The moment we turn the doorknob, she darts into the calla lilies, her cute little face peeking through the leaves as she watches us prepare her meal. She’s a curious, silly little girl who is comfortable enough to be nearby but still appreciates her personal space.
As soon as she hears the food hit her dish, she makes a run for it. We freeze, she freezes, and for a moment, we stare at each other before she decides it’s safe enough to eat.
Throughout the day, we catch glimpses of Junior frolicking in the garden, climbing onto the roof or napping peacefully in the bushes. She’s also an excellent mouser and occasionally leaves us a rat, which we like to think is her way of thanking us for the food and shelter!
Of course, there are chilly nights when we wish we could scoop her up and bring her inside. But Junior has made it clear that she prefers her outdoor life, and we’ve learned that caring for her also means respecting her boundaries.
Junior may never be a lap cat, but she has found a place in our hearts, and we’ve found so much joy in simply watching her live her life.
Changing the Way We See Community Cats
In our work, we often receive calls from residents who see free-roaming cats as pests or nuisances. Many want the cats removed or relocated, not realizing that these animals may have spent their entire lives in that same neighborhood.
These conversations aren’t always easy, but they are some of the most important ones we have.
Rather than simply telling someone that removing a cat isn’t the solution, I try to help them understand why. Community cats are often misunderstood. Some are friendly strays who may adapt to living indoors, while others are truly feral and prefer to keep their distance from people. But just because a cat doesn’t want human affection doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve compassion, safety and care.
This is where education and TNR can make a tremendous difference.
Through Trap-Neuter-Return, community cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated and returned to their familiar outdoor environments. TNR prevents future litters, helps stabilize and gradually reduce community cat populations, and can decrease behaviors associated with mating, such as fighting, yowling and spraying.
Simply removing cats from an area doesn’t necessarily solve the problem. When resources such as food and shelter remain available, other cats may eventually move into the same space. TNR offers a more humane, long-term approach that addresses reproduction while allowing existing cats to remain in the environments they know.
When someone calls asking us to relocate a community cat, I see it as an opportunity to change their perspective. I try to encourage them to look beyond the inconvenience and recognize that these animals are simply trying to survive, just like any other living creature.
Sometimes, all it takes is a conversation to help someone go from wanting a cat gone to understanding how they can peacefully coexist.
And sometimes, those same cats become familiar little neighbors, quietly controlling rodents, lounging in gardens and bringing unexpected joy to the people around them.
Compassion Is Part of the Solution
Over the years, my family has fed, sheltered and TNR’d several community cats. We’ve given them nicknames, watched their personalities unfold and learned to appreciate them for who they are.
But Junior is different. She’s stayed, made herself right at home and left a lasting impression on all of us.
I never imagined that I would become a cat person, let alone someone who looks forward to seeing a feral cat on the front porch every morning. Yet here I am, checking the Ring camera for Junior, watching her silly adventures in the garden and making sure she has a safe place to rest.
She has become part of our daily routine and a little reminder of why the work we do matters.
Every cat we spay or neuter means fewer unwanted litters and fewer kittens born into uncertain circumstances. It means helping prevent the cycle of overpopulation and giving community cats a better chance at healthier, more stable lives.
But beyond the numbers, this work is also about changing hearts and minds.
I know firsthand how much someone’s perspective can change with a little education and personal experience. I went from knowing very little about cats or the importance of spaying and neutering to advocating for them every day. And I hope that through the conversations we have with our community, we can help others make that same connection.
Not everyone has to become a cat person. Not everyone has to welcome a community cat into their yard. But we can all choose to approach these animals with a little more patience, understanding and compassion.
Because sometimes, making a difference doesn’t mean finding an animal a new home. Sometimes, it means helping them live safely and peacefully in the place they’ve always called home.
Junior may never let us hold her, and she may always run into the calla lilies when we open the door. But she’s happy, she’s cared for and she has a family who looks forward to seeing her every single day.
And if we’re lucky, she might even leave us a rat to show her appreciation.
Who would have thought that a little black-and-white garden cat could teach us so much about compassion?
