Research
Understanding Coexistence Through Observation, Data, and Documentation
Community Cat Atlas conducts observational research examining the relationships among community cats, wildlife, human communities, and the environments they share.
Using historical records, field observations, photography, observatory monitoring, and data analysis, we seek to better understand how coexistence unfolds across time and place.
WHY RESEARCH MATTERS
Understanding Begins with Documentation
Across communities around the world, free-roaming cats occupy neighborhoods, industrial sites, parks, businesses, transportation corridors, and public spaces.
While community cats have been the subject of debate for decades, surprisingly few long-term efforts have attempted to systematically document how cat populations, human communities, and environmental factors interact over time.
Community Cat Atlas was created to help fill that gap.
Our research does not begin with predetermined conclusions.
It begins with observation.
Every photograph, field note, colony record, and observatory session contributes to a growing body of evidence designed to improve understanding through documentation and transparency.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Current Areas of Investigation
Community Cat Atlas is currently exploring several long-term research questions:
Why do some colonies grow while others decline?
Historical records show dramatically different outcomes among colonies, even when interventions appear similar.
How do cats move through human-shaped environments?
Observatory monitoring is beginning to reveal patterns of movement that are difficult to detect through historical records alone.
How do human decisions influence long-term outcomes?
Feeding practices, abandonment, development patterns, transportation infrastructure, and community participation may all influence colony persistence.
How do cats and wildlife share the same landscapes?
Future observatory expansion will focus on documenting interactions between community cats, wildlife, and shared environments.
What can long-term observation reveal that short-term studies cannot?
Community Cat Atlas is building a long-term archive capable of documenting change across years rather than days.
FEATURED PUBLICATION
Community Cat Colony Outcomes in Mohave County, AZ
Baseline Findings from 127 Documented Colonies
Community Cat Atlas Research Series
White Paper No. 1
Key Findings:
-
127 documented colonies
-
25 communities represented
-
1,535 current cats
-
1,504 starting population records
-
422 reported sterilizations
-
147 reported adoptions
-
Net population increase of 31 cats
The analysis identified substantial variation in colony outcomes and raised important questions regarding abandonment, population movement, human influence, and long-term coexistence.
BASELINE REPORT 2026
Establishing the Atlas Baseline
The Community Cat Atlas Baseline Report 2026 serves as the foundational reference point for future Atlas research, observatory monitoring, and documentary work.
The report establishes:
-
Core population metrics
-
Community-level observations
-
Long-term colony trends
-
Emerging research priorities
-
Future analytical directions
FROM HISTORICAL RECORDS TO OBSERVATORY SCIENCE
The Next Phase of Research
Historical records help identify patterns.
Direct observation helps identify mechanisms.
To better understand how coexistence functions in real-world environments, Community Cat Atlas established the Observatory Program.
Observation Site Alpha represents the first step toward a long-term network of observatories documenting:
-
Community cat activity
-
Wildlife presence
-
Human activity
-
Environmental conditions
-
Individual cat identification
-
Seasonal patterns
DATA & ANALYTICS
The Atlas Research Platform
Community Cat Atlas uses Microsoft Fabric and modern analytical tools to organize, visualize, and explore long-term community cat data.
Current Atlas analytics include:
-
127 documented colonies
-
25 communities
-
Population trend analysis
-
Colony outcome analysis
-
Intervention tracking
-
Observatory metrics
-
Community-level insights
Future analytical development will include:
-
Predictive trend analysis
-
Geographic visualization
-
Individual observation histories
-
Wildlife interaction datasets
-
Observatory network comparisons
PUBLICATIONS
Community Cat Atlas Research Series
White Paper No. 1
Community Cat Colony Outcomes in Mohave County, Arizona
Baseline Report 2026
Community Cat Atlas Baseline Report
Coming Soon
-
Annual State of the Atlas
-
Observatory Reports
-
Wildlife Interaction Studies
-
Community Insights Reports
-
Technical Methodology Papers
RESEARCH PRINCIPLES
Community Cat Atlas is guided by five principles:
Observation Before Conclusion
Research begins with documentation rather than assumptions.
Transparency
Methods, limitations, and findings are communicated openly.
Long-Term Perspective
Meaningful patterns often emerge over years rather than weeks.
Interdisciplinary Thinking
Community cats exist within systems involving people, wildlife, infrastructure, and environmental change.
Coexistence
The goal is not to advance predetermined outcomes but to better understand the relationships that shape the landscapes we share.
Research
Understanding Coexistence Through Observation, Data, and Documentation
Community Cat Atlas conducts observational research examining the relationships among community cats, wildlife, human communities, and the environments they share.
Using historical records, field observations, photography, observatory monitoring, and data analysis, we seek to better understand how coexistence unfolds across time and place.