MONROE COUNTY, PA — Every evening around dusk, a woman in Coolbaugh Township steps onto her back porch with a bowl of kibble. She doesn’t call out. She doesn’t have to. Within minutes, cats emerge from the treeline — cautious, ears pricked, watching her with eyes that have learned not to trust too quickly.

She sets the food down, steps back, and waits.

This is the quiet rhythm of colony caretaking in the Poconos — carried out by countless residents across Monroe, Pike, and Wayne Counties who feed, shelter, and watch over the feral and stray cats that call our forests, farms, and neighborhoods home.

They don’t do it for recognition. Most don’t talk about it. But their compassion keeps thousands of outdoor cats alive through brutal winters and sweltering summers alike.

They Were Here First

Feral cats aren’t strays who wandered off last week. Many are born outdoors, part of colonies that have existed for generations — behind shopping plazas, in barn lofts, beneath abandoned structures. They are as much a part of the landscape as the deer and wild turkeys.

“People see a cat outside and assume it’s lost,” says one longtime caretaker in Stroud Township. “But these cats have territories. They have routines. They just don’t belong to anyone — except maybe each other.”

Community cats form tight social bonds. They groom each other, share warmth on cold nights, establish hierarchies. The most helpful thing most people can do? Leave them be. Or better yet, lend a hand.

How You Can Help

You don’t need to adopt a feral cat to make a difference. Most aren’t suited for indoor life — and that’s okay. They can live full, healthy lives outdoors with a little human assistance.

Food and Water: Consistency matters. Cats learn when and where to expect meals. In winter, use heated water bowls or replace water frequently to prevent freezing.

Build a Winter Shelter: A simple insulated shelter can mean life or death during a Pocono winter. The best designs use two plastic storage bins (one inside the other), lined with rigid foam insulation and stuffed with straw.

Cut a six-inch entrance hole positioned a few inches above the base to keep out rain and snow. Keep the interior small — cats warm it with body heat. Place shelters in quiet spots, entrances facing away from wind.

Use Straw, Not Blankets: This is critical. Straw insulates and stays dry. Blankets absorb moisture, freeze, and make cats colder. Find straw at Tractor Supply, Agway, or local farm stands.

Respect Their Space: Don’t try to pet or handle feral cats. Let them eat in peace. Your job is to keep them alive, not tame them.

Don’t Relocate: Moving feral cats rarely works. They’re deeply territorial and often try to return — sometimes traveling miles — or become disoriented in unfamiliar places.

A Plea for Compassion

Not everyone loves cats. But there’s a difference between indifference and cruelty.

Every year, advocates hear reports of cats poisoned, shot, or abandoned in remote areas. These acts aren’t just cruel — they’re illegal under Pennsylvania law.

If a colony causes problems — digging in gardens, yowling at night — there are humane solutions. Motion-activated sprinklers deter cats from specific areas. Citrus or lavender repellents discourage digging. Designated feeding stations away from problem spots can redirect activity.

Harming them solves nothing. New cats simply move into vacated territory.

Report Animal Cruelty

If you witness animal cruelty or neglect in Monroe County — including cats being harmed, poisoned, abandoned, or denied basic care — report it immediately.

Pennsylvania SPCA (covers Monroe County)

• Cruelty Hotline: 1-866-601-7722
• Email: Cruelty@pspca.org
• Online: pspca.org/cruelty

Emergencies (active crime in progress): Call 911

Local Resources:

• Monroe County Animal Control
• Pennsylvania State Police (non-emergency)
• AWSOM Animal Shelter: 570-421-DOGS (3647)

Animal cruelty is a serious crime in Pennsylvania, with penalties ranging from summary offenses to felonies. You can remain anonymous when reporting — but providing contact information helps investigators follow up.

The Ones Who Stay

On a cold January night in the Poconos, the temperature plunges below zero. Snow piles against the sides of houses.

And somewhere out there, a small cat is curled inside a straw-filled shelter that someone took the time to build. Her belly is full because someone remembered to leave food. She is alive because someone cared.

That someone could be you.