Community Cats: Care, Resources & How to Help

Hilton Head Island is home to a significant number of community cats – unowned cats living outdoors in neighborhoods, parking lots, and green spaces across the island. They’re not strays in the traditional sense. Most have never lived indoors and can’t. They have territories, colonies, and routines. What they need is people who understand them.

This page is here to help you do that.

What is TNR?

Trap-Neuter-Return – TNR – is a humane, proven method for reducing community cat overpopulation. Cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and returned to their outdoor home. It stops the cycle of reproduction, and the result is fewer kittens, healthier cats, and stabilized colonies over time.

You may also see this called TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return), which makes the vaccination step explicit. Both terms refer to the same humane practice.

What’s an eartip?


While a cat is already under anesthesia for spay or neuter surgery, the very tip of one ear is gently snipped — a small, painless mark that’s visible from a distance. An eartipped cat is a TNR’d cat. It means this one’s been cared for — no need to trap again.

How Old is That Kitten?

If you’ve found a young kitten and aren’t sure what it needs, age is the first thing to determine. Salty Paws of the Lowcountry has put together a helpful guide to kitten developmental stages: what to look for, what they can and can’t eat, and what kind of care they need at each stage. View the Kitten Age Guide Here.

Looking for TNR help on the Island?

The best starting point is calling Salty Paws of the Lowcountry directly at (843) 259-2085. If they can’t help with your specific situation, they’ll know who can.

Know a local TNR resource we should add? Email us.

How You Can Help

  • Foster — Salty Paws of the Lowcountry always needs foster homes, especially for kittens. For information on pet food assistance, see our Affordable Pet Care & Resources page.
  • Adopt — Community cats and kittens that are socialized can become wonderful pets
  • Volunteer — Both Salty Paws and All About Cats HHI rely entirely on volunteers
  • Donate — Food, supplies, and financial contributions keep colony caretakers and rescues running
  • Feed responsibly — If you care for a colony, consistent feeding schedules and TNR participation make a real difference. Contact Salty Paws of the Low Country for more info.
  • Report concerns — If you see a cat that appears injured or ill, contact one of the organizations below

Local Organizations

Salty Paws of the Lowcountry

A no-kill, foster-based rescue focused on community cats, TNR, adoptions, and community assistance.

All About Cats HHI

A 501(c)(3) sanctuary providing a permanent home for cats with nowhere else to go, on their 1.3-acre open-air property on Hilton Head Island.

Hilton Head Humane Association

National Resources

Critter Compass HHI compiles publicly available information as a free community reference. We are not affiliated with any organization listed here. If you have a correction or know of a resource we should add, we’d love to hear from you.