Healthy Pets, Safer Neighborhoods
They might not have names or collars, but community cats—the ones living in alleys, under porches, and near dumpsters—play a huge role in the public health of our neighborhoods. Left unvaccinated and unsterilized, they’re vulnerable to dangerous diseases like rabies, which can spread to other animals—and even people.
But here’s the good news: Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), also referred to as Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR), programs are doing more than controlling the cat population. They're quietly helping fight rabies at the root. Every time a cat is trapped, sterilized, and returned to its colony, it’s also vaccinated against rabies—creating a ripple effect of protection throughout the community.
In fact, research shows that spay/neuter efforts combined with rabies vaccinations can drastically reduce the incidence of rabies in both animals and humans. TNR programs are becoming an essential part of community health strategies, safeguarding not just cats, but entire neighborhoods.
At PennyFix, we believe a simple act—like adding a penny surcharge to canned pet food—can fund these lifesaving efforts across the country. Because when we fix cats, we fix a lot more than overpopulation—we help stop the spread of one of the deadliest viruses on Earth.
Rabies in the U.S.: A Wildlife Problem With Domestic Stakes
While human rabies cases in the U.S. are extremely rare—typically 1 to 3 each year—the threat is still very real. The vast majority of rabies cases are found in wild animals, especially bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. But here's the part that's often overlooked:
Unvaccinated dogs and cats act as bridges between wildlife and humans.
Around 4,000–5,000 rabid animals are reported annually in the U.S.
Over 60,000 people receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in the U.S. each year after suspected rabies exposure—most often from contact with unvaccinated pets or wildlife.
This underscores the importance of not only vaccinating pets but ensuring community animals—especially free-roaming cats—are included in prevention efforts.
Why Spaying & Neutering Plays a Critical Role
Sterilization programs like TNR don’t just reduce the number of kittens born outdoors—they provide a crucial opportunity to vaccinate. Here’s how spay/neuter ties directly into rabies prevention:
1. Vaccination at the Point of Care
TNR clinics routinely vaccinate cats against rabies during sterilization. Once vaccinated, these cats are protected for years, preventing them from becoming infection vectors.
2. Population Control = Disease Control
Fewer stray cats and dogs means fewer opportunities for rabid wildlife to interact with unvaccinated animals. Each sterilized animal is one less at risk—and one less risk to others.
3. Targeting the At-Risk Populations
Free-roaming animals—especially unowned cats and unvaccinated dogs—are among the most vulnerable to rabies exposure. These are the pets most likely to come into contact with rabid wildlife and, without intervention, can spread the virus to other animals or even people.
Spay/neuter programs that serve at-risk populations don’t just reduce unwanted litters—they create crucial opportunities for rabies vaccination, especially for:
Community cats living outdoors without consistent care
Dogs in underserved areas, where access to affordable veterinary services is limited
Pets living outside the reach of traditional vet care, including those cared for by individuals facing financial or geographic barriers
By combining sterilization with rabies vaccination, we not only prevent overpopulation—we create healthier, safer communities for everyone. For many of these animals, it’s the only veterinary care they’ll ever receive—making every vaccination and every spay/neuter procedure a powerful act of prevention.
Success in Action
Municipalities that have invested in widespread TNR efforts have seen:
Decreases in rabies vector populations
Lower shelter intakes and euthanasia rates
Increased rabies vaccination rates across free-roaming cat populations
These programs support public safety in addition to animal welfare—and they’re far more humane and sustainable than ineffective culling efforts.
What You Can Do
At PennyFix, we’re working to expand access to spay/neuter services that include rabies vaccination—especially for community cats. Our model is simple but powerful: fund lifesaving surgeries and shots by adding just one penny to canned pet food sales.
💡 Imagine if every can of pet food you bought helped vaccinate a cat or dog that would otherwise be at risk.
👉 Support the mission. Help us fix the future.
Your support helps fund programs that reduce overpopulation, prevent suffering, and protect communities from rabies and other preventable diseases.
[See also: “Why Spaying and Neutering Matters…”]
