A New Path Forward for Cat Welfare

The issue of stray and feral cats has weighed heavily on my heart for years. Ever since my daughter and I began volunteering at a local cat shelter, we’ve been immersed in the realities of cat rescue—the joy of saving lives, but also the heartbreaking challenges of overpopulation and limited resources.

Through our experiences, I saw firsthand what rescuers face every day—trapping and neutering cats, finding homes for the friendliest strays, and tirelessly caring for colonies. Despite the unwavering dedication of so many, the problem of stray and feral cats felt like a never-ending battle. I knew that change was possible, but it required more than just individual efforts—it demanded a collective movement.

That’s why I created GiluFunds—to empower rescuers, educate communities, and advocate for policies that make a real difference. Our mission is simple but profound: to create lasting change for cats and communities through empowerment, education, and advocacy.

This blog will serve as a space to share knowledge, inspire action, and unite those who believe in a better future for cats. Through our three-pillar strategy, we’ll explore the necessary steps to humanely manage and reduce stray cat populations while fostering a compassionate, informed society.

Pillar 1: Funding TNR Campaigns – Empowering Communities

What is TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return)?

TNR is the most effective and humane solution to managing stray and feral cat populations. This method involves trapping cats, spaying or neutering them, vaccinating them, and then returning them to their original location, where they can live out their lives without reproducing. Learn more about TNR.

Why Funding Matters

Sustainable, large-scale TNR requires consistent funding. Without financial resources, TNR efforts remain limited, leaving countless cats vulnerable to overpopulation, disease, and euthanasia.

GiluFunds raises money through donor contributions and the Gilu online store, where every purchase supports TNR programs. This financial backing allows TNR efforts to expand, reaching more cats and communities in need.

Impact Focus

Through TNR, we envision:

• A significant reduction in stray cat populations over time.
• Healthier, vaccinated community cat colonies.
• Fewer cats entering shelters, reducing euthanasia rates.

Support our TNR initiatives.

Pillar 2: Education – Amplifying Experts to Build Awareness

Knowledge is Power

Education is essential in shifting public perception and fostering community involvement. Many people are unaware of the challenges stray cats face or how they can help. Through GiluFunds, we want to bridge that gap—not by reinventing the wheel, but by amplifying the voices of those already doing this critical work.

Our Approach to Education

Since GiluFunds is newly launched, we are still developing this part of our strategy. Many reputable organizations already provide comprehensive training, workshops, and hands-on TNVR experience—from humane trapping to placing barn cats in safe homes. Rather than duplicating these efforts, our goal is to give them a forum to share their expertise with a broader audience.

Through our marketing and communication efforts, GiluFunds and GiluCats will drive more people to these invaluable resources, expanding the reach of their online events, educational materials, and training sessions.

How We Will Support Education

• Highlighting expert-led workshops and webinars from experienced TNVR organizations.
• Promoting educational resources that teach best practices for humane trapping, colony care, and responsible feeding.
• Collaborating with leading rescue groups and community initiatives to spread awareness and increase engagement.
• Providing a platform for experts and advocates to share their insights and experiences.

Explore educational resources.

Pillar 3: Advocacy & Legislation – Creating a Lasting Framework for Change

The Importance of Legislative Action

TNR programs and cat welfare efforts must be supported by legislative protections to ensure their long-term success. Laws can provide funding, legal protections, and guidelines that make humane cat management a standard practice rather than a temporary initiative.

Gathering Community Perspectives

Since we are newly launched, we want to hear from the community—both from experienced rescuers and everyday people who may not be familiar with cat rescue. Understanding how different communities perceive the stray and feral cat issue is essential in shaping effective advocacy efforts.

We are particularly interested in:

• How people view stray and feral cats in their neighborhoods.
• What they identify as the biggest challenges related to community cats.
• What solutions they believe would be most effective.

This feedback will help us develop an advocacy framework that balances the experience and perspective of the cat rescue community with the views and concerns of the broader public.

Inspiration from Global Success Stories

• Turkey – Cities like Istanbul embrace street cats as part of the community, providing them with food, shelter, and medical care.
• Rome – The Italian capital has enacted legal protections for feral cat colonies, allowing volunteers to care for them in historic sites without interference.

Our Legislative Roadmap

At GiluFunds, we are committed to advocating for policy changes that support TNR programs and cat welfare initiatives. We aim to:

• Work with policymakers to establish TNR-friendly legislation.
• Secure government and institutional funding for humane cat management.
• Engage community members in advocacy efforts to ensure their voices are heard.

Join our advocacy efforts.

How You Can Get Involved

There are many ways you can help GiluFunds create a better future for cats:

• Donate – Every contribution helps fund vital TNR efforts. Make a donation.
• Shop with Purpose – Support our online store, where purchases directly benefit TNR campaigns. Shop now.
• Learn and Advocate – Stay informed by reading our blog and attending educational events. Explore our blog.
• Spread the Word – Share this post and encourage others to join our mission.

Conclusion: Together, We Can Make a Difference

Meaningful change happens when we come together with compassion, knowledge, and action. Whether you contribute financially, educate yourself and others, or advocate for policy change, your involvement makes an impact.

In the coming weeks, I’ll share more insights into each pillar of our strategy, real-life success stories, and ways you can get hands-on with TNR efforts in your own community.

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Closing Thoughts

Gilu is my love letter to cats and to the rescuers who fight for them every day. I started this journey with my daughter, driven by heartbreak but fueled by hope.

I believe in a future where stray and feral cats are treated with dignity and care, where communities are empowered to take action, and where advocacy leads to lasting change.

I invite you to be part of this mission—one cat at a time.

Join our movement.