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.
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.
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!
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?
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!
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”
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!
Great article, Mewla and Sterling Davis! I looked up services close to Hilo on the Big Island. Hui Pono Holoholona is now on my phone. (808) 968-8279 email: paws@hphhawaii.org
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.
So glad that you now know about Sterling and Deb’s important work. Thank you for your comment, Celinne!
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.
Thank you for sharing about the great work being done in Alabama, Leah!
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!
Great to know, Marylou! Thank you : )
Thank you Mewla for this great article and Sterling, thank your for your important work. Here in Houston we are looking for people to volunteer their times to help cats or even manage a colony. Contact https://www.houstontx.gov/barc/tnr_get_involved.html
Thanks for sharing, LoriC!
I love this article. It was very motivational to learn about your TNR center, Sterling Davis!
In Bethesda MD we have Alleycat.org which provides resources and also outreach/speeakers. They are at https://www.alleycat.org/contact/ or at (240)-482-1980.
Also, people can join the Feral Friends Network at https://www.alleycat.org/our-work/feral-friends-network/feral-friends-network-connect/
Great information, PaulaN!
Aloha cat champions! I will start the comments by leaving information for two TNR options on Oahu, Hawaii.
1. At the Hawaiian Humane Society, Free-Roaming Cat Spay/Neuter surgeries are booked by online on a first-come, first-serve basis for Wednesdays and Thursdays. TNR is FREE (as long as funding lasts).
Traps are available for a 7-day rent for TNRM use only. A $75 deposit fee and a $25 rental fee is required at time of rental. The cat then is dropped off at the Hawaiian humane Society at 2700 Waialae Ave. Honolulu, HI 96826.
Request TNR at https://hawaiianhumane.org/spay-neuter-frc/
2. Hawaii CatFriends is a volunteer organization providing TNR in Kunia and Kalihi. They train cat colony caretakers
and have traps available. Online registration is recommended. Contact them at (808) 226-4561 or at
https://www.hicatfriends.org/spay-neuter-clinics