Community Coexistence
Community Coexistence
Caring for cats. Respecting the community around them.
Community cats already live alongside homes, businesses, apartment communities, and public spaces. Commissioned Guardians work to provide responsible care for those cats while respecting the people and properties around them.
This section is for anyone who has received a Guardian informational card, encountered a Guardian caring for cats, received ministry correspondence, or simply wants to understand how this ministry approaches community-cat care. Choose the description that fits your situation.
Neighbors & Residents
“There’s a Guardian caring for cats near my home.”
HOAs, Landlords & Property Managers
“A Guardian is caring for cats on or near property I manage.”
Businesses & Commercial Properties
“Community cats or a Guardian are present around my business.”
Animal Control & Local Authorities
“I need information about a Guardian, their Commission, or the ministry.”
Verify a Guardian
Confirm whether a Commission Number belongs to an active Commissioned Guardian.
What a Guardian is
Who you may have met
A Commissioned Guardian is a caregiver whose faith-based service has been formally recognized by Guardians of the Cats and who has agreed to carry that service according to the ministry’s standards. Commissioning identifies a caregiver’s relationship with this ministry. It does not grant governmental authority, permission to enter private property, or any exemption from local law.
Ministry standards
Community Cat Stewardship Standards
Commissioned Guardians agree to carry their caregiving according to the ministry’s standards. These are the principles they are expected to follow.
Care Responsibly
Feed consistently and thoughtfully, keep feeding areas tidy and discreet where possible, and remove excess food and waste.
Provide Shelter With Care
Choose safe, weather-appropriate shelter and place it thoughtfully, without blocking access or creating hazards.
Support Humane Stabilization
Support spay/neuter and TNR where feasible and available, working with local groups and watching for cats in need.
Lead With Calm and Respect
Communicate with dignity, seek de-escalation first, and look for practical solutions when concerns arise.
Respect Boundaries and Protect Safety
Respect property boundaries and posted rules, avoid confrontation, and put the safety of people and cats first.
The full standards are published on the Commissioned Guardians page.
Context
Why this is ministry
Guardians of the Cats is a non-denominational, faith-based 501(c)(3) ministry. Many Commissioned Guardians experience caring for homeless and free-roaming cats as sincerely held spiritual service and religious practice, not merely a hobby or personal preference.
We share this with the communities where Guardians serve for context and understanding — not as a threat, and not as a claim that ordinary laws no longer apply.
Commissioning does not grant permission to enter private property, override local law, or confer governmental authority. Religious-freedom protections may be relevant in some circumstances depending on the facts and applicable law.
The ministry’s role
How Guardians of the Cats relates to Guardians
Commissioned Guardians carry out their caregiving independently. Guardians of the Cats recognizes their Commission, establishes ministry standards, and provides ministry resources, but does not direct or supervise each Guardian’s day-to-day caregiving activities.
We share this with neighbors, property owners, businesses, and officials so expectations are clear: decisions about feeding times, locations, and daily care belong to the caregiver and the people whose property and community are involved.
If you have a concern
If you have a concern
Start with the practical issue
If the concern involves feeding times, cleanup, placement of bowls or shelters, or another day-to-day issue, respectful communication with the caregiver may be the simplest place to begin when doing so is appropriate and comfortable.
Concerns about a Commissioned Guardian
Guardians of the Cats maintains Stewardship Standards for Commissioned Guardians.
If you have a serious concern that a Commissioned Guardian is acting contrary to those standards, misrepresenting their Commission, or improperly using ministry identification or ministry materials, you may contact Guardians of the Cats.
Please understand that Guardians of the Cats is not able to mediate every neighborhood, property, business, or community-cat disagreement. Contacting the ministry does not guarantee investigation, intervention, mediation, or resolution. Information received may be reviewed when appropriate to help us maintain the integrity of the Commissioning program.
Local or urgent matters
Questions involving property access, local ordinances, immediate public safety, suspected animal cruelty, or other matters requiring official action should be directed to the appropriate local authority.