🏆Cat Person of the Month: Sterling Davis

Trap-Neuter-Return, or “TNR,” is the humane way to care for and reduce the number of homeless cats in our communities. TNR programs safely trap cats, have them spayed/neutered and vaccinated, then return the cats to their community, often where a caretaker makes sure they are fed. 

Meet Sterling Davis, the TrapKing. Sterling is a former rapper who, in 2015, began working in cat rescue. He says that trap rescue is where he found his calling. Sterling quickly became an enthusiastic promoter of TNR programs.  

 

In 2017, Sterling launched his own mobile nonprofit called TrapKing Humane Cat Solutions. He began traveling around the country performing TNR and helping to get care for thousands of cats. The TrapKing’s passion for TNR soon became an inspiration for others in and outside of the TNR field. He now regularly makes public appearances (even appearing on the Netflix special “Cat People”) to educate people about TNR and help champion the needs of feral and stray cats.

The TrapKing and fans (Photos courtesy of Sterling Davis)

Mewla: Welcome Sterling! Tell us what’s new with the TrapKing! 

 

Sterling: Well right now what’s new is a TNR fail named “Nipsey Cuddle.” I just rescued him and tried to get him adopted because he was way too sweet for the streets but then him and I just bonded so it’s been traveling, rescuing kitties and spreading all this love/compassion! I still live out of my RV so I’m working towards getting a TrapKing location soon where I can adopt, foster, help with training/behavior, and just a one spot for all things cats/pets and community! 

Mewla:  Congratulations on your new baby! Awwww!  Nipsey Cuddle is adorable, and his finding a forever home is just one example of the rewards of TNR.

 

I’m so excited to hear about your plans for a new center for adoption, fostering and training center. Your tireless work has helped thousands of cats be neutered and live healthier lives. 

 

We know that neutering cats decreases their risk for disease or starvation and helps them live longer lives. How does TNR also help the communities that people live in?  

 

Sterling: Animals, just like comedy and music, can bring people together.  When people volunteer and come together it not only helps the cats but it helps keep the community clean and brings people together. 

Sterling calls Nipsey Cuddles his "TNR Fail"

Volunteering instills compassion and good habits in our children when it comes to taking care of nature and the environment.  

 

One thing I’ve also been trying to get done is to have a TNR badge for Cub Scouts! Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts have always been about outdoor unity and community so I think it’s a perfect fit and again, a way for TNR to help not only the kitties but the people in the community!

No cat can escape the TrapKing

Mewla: Great idea for a TNR badge! You’ve made such a meaningful impact on the cat community, helping bring awareness of how TNR programs can improve the welfare of cats. What can our readers do to help feral and stray cats?

 

Sterling: I think a huge step forward in cat rescue and all people playing a part is being willing to listen and learn about it. Understand that this is ultimately humane population control. It’s something that’s good if you like cats and  it’s something that’s good if you don’t like cats. 

 

Get familiar with your local rescue groups and shelters so you know who to call when you see a cat in need or just a new cat in the area that needs to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. Your local rescue/shelter would probably love to get more volunteers to come learn and help out but even if you can’t go help,  it’s good to know who to call! 

 

Mewla: Locating and reaching out to local rescue groups and shelters are easy first steps anyone can take. Thanks for that idea, Sterling. 

 

Cats have made a difference in the lives of so many people and especially those who grew up with abuse and other types of adversity. You have shared about your rough childhood. What do you think cats provide that is so healing for children and adults who have rough lives?

 
Sterling:  I believe love and helping others will always feel good, and that’s the relationship you have with just about any pet. The thing with cats is not just anyone can bond with a cat.  A dog will probably jump up and love on anyone feeding him/her but with a cat, you have to really earn it!  Have you ever seen a cat sit on a person’s lap and they decide they can’t move at all to not disturb the cat?  It’s an honor to be chosen or get that love from a cat! Lol! 
The TrapKing wants you to know who to call.
A cuddle, some purrs, and some head bonks from a lil’ furball after a bad day can really make you feel better…not the mention the “zoomies.”  If you have never watched cats playing, you’re missing out! I can forget problems and whatever other mess is going on and get lost in watching them play! 
 
Crazy to think how I was young and would stay outside playing with the stray kitties and that it would one day circle back around and bring me here but it did.  I didn’t want to go home because it was so bad there; those stray cats didn’t even have a home. 
For them it was bad everywhere and back then, I felt like we could relate because neither of us had a voice or say in our situations.  
   
It means the world to me now to be a voice for my little homies!
 

Mewla: Wow. I am feeling that love and compassion, Sterling.  So true, not just anyone can bond with a cat.  It takes a special person! I’m so glad those cats were around to help you, and I know there are many more young boys and men out there in need of that same love and compassion.

 

One of your missions is to help change stereotypes about men and cats. What do you tell people who say they don’t like cats, to help them understand how great cats are?

 

Sterling: I remember telling some young guys in an apartment complex that I was trapping in how dope cats are.  They weren’t trying to hear it at all! Lol! They kept telling me, cats are for girls and they wanted dogs!  I couldn’t believe how much that stereotype had gone around and stuck! 

 
 I told my young brothers, “Check this out, you know the Black Panther right?” They were all excited yelling “Yeah” because who doesn’t know and love the Black Panther?!???!
 
I let them know that the Black Panther is a cat!! Not only is the Panther a cat but a lion, who is considered King of the jungle is also a cat. I promise after talking with those young brothers they look at cats differently! Lol! 
The TrapKing says, "The greatest discovery a person will have is that of themselve"
Mewla: LOL, fantastic point. Every house cat is a mini-lion or panther, lol.  All cats are wild animals at heart.
 
Sterling: Another cool thing I let guys know is that you can clicker-train cats! My cats are leash and clicker trained so they can travel and hang out with me! 
 
I know a lot of people prefer dogs because they can go places but our feline homies can as well! Also if you’re a person that works 8 hours a day, and maybe goes to the gym or has some drinks with friends, your cat will be just fine as long as you left some food in the bowl!  They are a lot less maintenance if you have a busy/active lifestyle.
 
Mewla:  Let me tell you, I’ve stayed home and cats can sleep all day, lol. Your outreach is so amazing. I love that you’re not just helping cats, but also helping to open the minds of young people who might otherwise miss out on how wonderful felines are! 
 
Another great message you share with others is to challenge “toxic masculinity” –  or what some people call a “hyper-masculine” attitude — the kind that promotes bullying and aggression–and that ultimately harms our communities and even men themselves.  Do you have a message for teens who think they need to be “hyper-masculine” just to fit in?
  
Dinnertime at the Sterling Home
Sterling:  Growing up and being the guy that always dressed in clothes, or wore his hair in styles that some people would consider “women” hairstyles, I dealt with that stuff a lot.  My late aunt Elysa Lee would always stress the importance of expressing yourself and being who you are and I’ve always done that. 
 
I think we miss out on a lot of things in life when we decide we can’t do certain things because only “boys” can do it or only “girls” can do it.  The greatest discovery a person will have is that of themselves….figure that out and be that with love and unapologetically…..
Don’t worry about “fitting in..” Be genuine and everything will be just fine!  
 
Mewla: That is just profound, Sterling. I’m so glad that Aunt Elysa Lee was around to encourage you to let that amazing light inside you shine! What a special woman! And how great to know that you’re out there sharing your insights with others who need to hear your message, too.
 

We are almost out of time, so I have one more question. Who are the cats in your life today?

 

Sterling: So today there are plenty of cats in my life! I have my oldest, “Damita Jo” she’s going on 4 and has her own Instagram page.  She’s pretty much a diva and LOVES to cuddle, will literally cuddle and groom you all day!!! Then I have Alanis Mewisette, who is 2 and she’s my independent playful baby.  She is usually in her own world playing and will come cuddle but she has to initiate it! Lol!

Just the other day like I was saying before, I was out to trap a cute kitty that I have named “Nipsey Cuddle.” He was too sweet to stay on the streets and we bonded quick!!!  I also have a kitty named “Bowie” that travels with my friend Samantha Martin and ‘The Amazing AcroCats.’ He’s such a big part of the show that we decided to co-adopt/co-parent. 

 

I recently started dating and my girlfriend Deb is a vet tech that has 8 cats who would be devastated if I didn’t mention them as my own as well so I also have to mention my babies, “Inara”, “Harmony”, “Minuet”, “Squirrel”, “Lucifer”, “Baby Bobby” and the rock star, “Captain Patch” 

Nipsey Cuddles is the newest family member

So I think that’s about eleven. Yeah, that’s 11 different types of fur in my beard every morning that I’m super grateful for!! 

 

Mewla: What a true Cat Person you are! Thank you so much for joining us and sharing about your work, Sterling!  

  

I want to challenge our readers – please follow up on Sterling’s suggestions for how you can help community cats. Find out who your local rescue groups are, then share their contact information in the comments, below. We can spread information that will help others, AND, have those numbers ready when you or someone you know finds a community cat who needs help. 

 

To learn more about TrapKing’s organization and mission, go to https://trapkinghumane.org

 

To donate to TrapKing Humane, go to: https://trapkinghumane.org/support-the-mission/

 

Take our challenge! Leave the name and contact information for your local TNR rescue group and/or shelter below, along with your great comments or questions!

😼😸🐈

12 thoughts on “🏆Cat Person of the Month: Sterling Davis”

  2. Celinne

    Sterling just took my breath away! Such an amazing human being with a big, generous heart. His girlfriend Deb deserves some love too with her compassionate spirit and eight cats. These are the real heroes of our world….not politicians and corporatists. I love everything about them and this is an inspiring article. Nipsey Cuddles is just adorable. When I read articles like this one, it restores my faith in humanity and I feel hopeful again. I wish Sterling and Deb every success in future ventures and may they motivate thousands of others to trap, neuter and rescue.

    Reply
  3. Leah

    Great article, Mewla, and wonderful work by Sterling Davis! I live in Alabama and there are many stray and feral cats here. All the cats we have now came from city streets. I follow many groups and individuals on Facebook who are looking after ferals. One is Tsnip Feral Felines in Tuscaloosa; another, very active person, in Anniston, is Jr. TheCatman.

    Reply
  4. marylou

    I live in Oregon and know that Wild Rivers Animal Rescue has been doing a great job helping feral and stray cats in Curry County. They are a “no-kill” animal rescue. I’m not sure if they do TNR, but if you want to adopt a dog or cat, go there first!

    Reply

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