OAA Book of the Month - Nobody’s Cats: How One Little Black Kitty Came in From the Cold
By Erin Lawson, Operations Director
With colder temperatures right around the corner, OAA knows how difficult it can be to see cats outdoors and wonder what you can do to help. That’s why we wanted to highlight a book that introduces young readers to community cats and how we can best support them through teamwork and education.
Nobody’s Cats: How One Little Black Kitty Came in From the Cold by Valerie Ingram and Alistair Schroff follows a young cat living on the streets and one brave boy’s mission to help. Through education and a little hard work, he becomes a hero to the community cats around him while learning where these cats came from and how to create the best environment for them. Of course there’s a happy ending for the boy and little kitty, too!
This book is a great introduction to TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return), the different environments that cats may thrive in, and why not every cat is suited to life as an indoor pet. It offers young readers an approachable way to understand that helping cats doesn’t always mean bringing them inside.
Why We Love It
Community cats can be a difficult concept to understand, even for adults. We love that Nobody’s Cats introduces these ideas to kids at a young age and helps them understand what they can do when they encounter a cat who may need help. There’s even a page that introduces Humane Education in schools - how could we not love that! Not to mention the glossary in the back of the book that defines common community cat terms; this book is a must-read for young animal lovers.
Seeing an animal outside can be distressing, especially when you aren’t sure what to do. This book provides an age-appropriate amount of information and realistic steps kids can take, helping give them the confidence to respond thoughtfully when they find themselves in that situation.
Want to Learn More About Community Cats?
For adult readers who are working with or interested in community cats, check out Community Cats: A Journey Into the World of Feral Cats (link to article).
Join us at one of our 2026 Community Cat Summits this fall in either Cincinnati or Cleveland to learn more about where things stand in the world of community cats.
The topics at these events are a little heavy for younger audiences, but the information you gain can help you become an advocate and educator within your own community. Together, we can help people of all ages better understand community cats and create a better future for our feline friends.
Get Involved
1. At OAA, we believe that being an advocate for animals means continuing to learn, ask questions, and challenge the ways we think about animals and how to give them the best lives possible. Does this sound like you? We’d love to have you join our team of dedicated volunteers and help protect all animals in the state of Ohio.
2. Want to learn more about advocating for community cats? Visit our Community Cats advocacy page.
3. Looking for spay/neuter and TNR services? Check out our Statewide Directory.
4. Share this book recommendation with friends!
5. Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive animal welfare related news and resources in Ohio straight to your inbox.
