Welcome!
Our Mission
Pawsitively Jefferson County works to humanely reduce feral and community cat populations through Trap–Neuter–Vaccinate–Return (TNVR), the only program of its kind in Jefferson County, Kansas.
We are 100% volunteer-run and rely on grants and donations to support our work. Through partnerships with Kansas State University and Helping Hands Humane Society (Topeka, KS), we provide essential care, promote public health, and offer compassionate, sustainable solutions.
Every cat deserves compassion. Every community deserves effective care.
Get Involved – Make a Difference for Cats in Jefferson County
How You Can Help
There are many ways to support community cats in Jefferson County. Your involvement — whether a few hours or ongoing support — makes a real difference.
- Donate: Every dollar goes directly toward supplies and care.
- Shop: Link your Dillons Rewards card to our group — at no cost to you, we earn rewards when you shop.
- Volunteer: From trapping to social events, we need diverse skills (training provided).
Feral Cats in Our Communities – What You Need to Know
Welcome to the neighborhood!
Welcome to the neighborhood!
Welcome to the neighborhood!
You may not always see them, but feral and community cats are part of our towns and rural spaces. They live in groups called colonies, usually sticking close to places where food and shelter are easy to find. These cats aren’t usually adoptable—they’ve grown up outdoors and don’t always trust people. But that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve care.
Why not just relocate them?
Welcome to the neighborhood!
Welcome to the neighborhood!
Great question! When cats are removed from an area, others just move in to take advantage of the same resources. This is called the vacuum effect, and it’s why trapping and removing doesn’t actually solve the problem—it just starts the cycle over.
How TNVR helps
Welcome to the neighborhood!
How TNVR helps
That’s where TNVR—Trap, Neuter/Spay, Vaccinate, Return—comes in. It’s a humane, effective way to help both the cats and the community. Here’s what it looks like:
- Cats are humanely trapped using safe, baited traps.
- They’re spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and given a quick health check.
- After a short recovery, they’re returned to their colony, where they can live out their lives without adding to the population.
Why it works
Why Spay/Neuter Helps Community Cats Live Longer
How TNVR helps
TNVR stops the cycle of endless litters. It also reduces fighting, spraying, and loud mating behaviors. The cats are healthier, the community is quieter, and everyone benefits.
A local impact note:
(Mar 2025), A small colony of 12 was prevented from immediately increasing to a large colony of 33.
(June 2025) A large colony of 26 was prevented from immediately increasing to an even larger colony of 43.
Why Spay/Neuter Helps Community Cats Live Longer
Why Spay/Neuter Helps Community Cats Live Longer
Why Spay/Neuter Helps Community Cats Live Longer
At Pawsitively Jefferson County, we follow the evidence: outdoor cats who are spayed/neutered and cared for through TNVR live significantly longer than those who remain intact.
The Reality for Intact Outdoor Cats
Unaltered feral cats face constant dangers:
- Searching for mates
- Fighting with other cats
- Frequent injuries and infections
- Pregnancy-related risks
- Disease exposure
- Starvation or dehydration
- High risk near roads
Most humane societies report their lifespan to be under 2 years when living completely on their own.
How TNVR Changes That
Why Spay/Neuter Helps Community Cats Live Longer
Why Spay/Neuter Helps Community Cats Live Longer
Once a cat is spayed/neutered and returned to a managed colony:
- Roaming and fighting decrease
- Stress levels drop
- Food and water become consistent
- Shelter is available
- Caretakers monitor the cat’s well-being
Veterinary organizations, including VCA Animal Hospitals, note that these changes dramatically increase life expectancy.
What the Data Shows
What the Data Shows
What the Data Shows
Rescue and TNR programs worldwide report the same pattern:
Intact feral cats:
• Average < 2 years of life
Spayed/neutered colony cats:
• Average 5–10 years of life
(depending on food, shelter, climate, and caregiver support)
The Takeaway
What the Data Shows
What the Data Shows
TNVR doesn’t just prevent litters—it gives community cats a longer, healthier, safer life.
Fixing and returning cats allows them to stay in their outdoor home, while reducing the hardships that shorten their lifespan.
TNVR saves lives—literally and long-term.
Want to help?
What the Data Shows
Want to help?
If you’re feeding outdoor cats, spotting strays in your neighborhood, or just want to be part of the solution, we’d love to hear from you. Our program is entirely volunteer-run, and we’re always happy to help guide you, answer questions, or get you involved.
Together, we can make Jefferson County a safer, healthier place for both cats and people.
Our History
About Pawsitively Jefferson County
Pawsitively Jefferson County was founded in 2020 by Sharon Blankenship, who recognized a critical need for a humane and effective solution to the growing feral and community cat population in Jefferson County, Kansas. Motivated by compassion and a desire to protect both animals and public health, Sharon launched the county’s only Trap-Neuter/Spay-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) program.
With guidance and hands-on training from an established TNVR program in a neighboring county, our first volunteers gained the skills and confidence needed to begin helping local cat colonies. Since then, our entirely volunteer-run organization has grown into a powerful force for change—improving the lives of cats and fostering collaboration within the community.
Today, Pawsitively Jefferson County has not only made a measurable impact locally but has also become an inspiration for surrounding communities. We are proud to share our experience, knowledge, and resources to help