Volunteer-led initiative expands beyond Lyndhurst after helping stabilize feral cat populations through Trap-Neuter-Return and adoption.
The volunteer-led initiative began in 2014 after residents saw a growing feral cat colony in the village of Lyndhurst.
Founder Stephanie Etherington says the growing colony inspired her to act.
What started as an effort to care for one colony has grown into a long-term mission focused on reducing stray cat populations through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), fostering and adoption. Etherington explains how the project has evolved.
Over the past 10 years, the project says it has helped hundreds of cats through its TNR and adoption programs while building a strong network of foster homes and volunteers. The organization has stabilized several colonies in Lyndhurst and surrounding communities, with its work now extending to Seeley’s Bay.
The group’s mission is to create healthy, stable, zero-growth feral cat colonies while improving the lives of stray and community cats through education, partnerships and public involvement. Organizers say community support has been key to the project’s success over the past decade.
The project also relies on a dedicated fostering program, with Kory Kerr and Scott Lackie among its key foster dads.
Kerr says he’s been fostering cats full-time since 2020.
Lackie says stray cats were once a major problem in the community before the project began.
Looking ahead, the Lyndhurst Feral Cat Project plans to continue expanding its TNR efforts, supporting foster volunteers and encouraging more residents to get involved in protecting and caring for feral and stray cats throughout the region.
Lyndhurst Feral Cat Project Website
Story by Alyssa Brush
