Colony Cats Helps 1,000s of Strays in Franklin County

Mona McKinniss has a soft spot for the cats that most people overlook—the scrappy ones, the feral ones, the misunderstood strays wandering Franklin County's streets.

Twenty-five years ago, McKinniss started Colony Cats on a dead-end lot that had become a dumping ground for abandoned animals. What began as a simple rescue operation quickly evolved into something bigger when she realized the real solution wasn't just saving cats—it was preventing overpopulation.

Today, Colony Cats runs on the dedication of hundreds of volunteers who trap, neuter, and return feral cats across Franklin County. The group opened an adoption center in Dublin in 2009 and responds to community calls about stray animals throughout the region.

When residents reach out about stray cats in their neighborhoods, Colony Cats volunteers spring into action. They trap the animals, get them spayed or neutered, and return most of them outdoors unless they're friendly enough for adoption.

The organization goes beyond medical care. Colony Cats provides food and support for community members who care for outdoor cats, including people experiencing homelessness who have animals.

Volunteer Shelby Furer of Worthington says the work fills her heart in unexpected ways. "When you really get to know the people running the organization, it's incredibly impactful and moving on a personal level," she said.

Sunny's Take

The impact shows up fast in neighborhoods where Colony Cats intervenes. McKinniss says complaints about too many cats usually disappear within weeks as the population naturally decreases without new litters being born.

Friendly cats and kittens get adopted into homes, while the neutered ferals continue their outdoor lives without contributing to overpopulation. Neighbors notice the difference, and communities become more harmonious for both people and cats.

McKinniss recently received the Columbus Fury's SHEroes Spotlight Award, which honors women making a difference in central Ohio. But for her, the real reward is simple: giving overlooked animals the attention they deserve.

"My heart just breaks more for the cats, because they seem to be misunderstood," McKinniss said. Through Colony Cats, she's proving that compassion paired with smart strategy can transform entire communities—one feral cat at a time.