Horton Director of Security and Surveillance Horton's Story Horton fancies himself a cat of distinguished English descent—though the evidence is mostly in his impeccably groomed whiskers, perfectly arched tail, and an air of authority that could make even a Buckingham guard pause. As the colony’s self-appointed Director of Security and Surveillance, he patrols his domain with the poise of a lord and the precision of a secret agent, ever alert to rogue squirrels, overzealous dogs, and any minor infractions of protocol. His ginger coat gleams like polished mahogany under the sun, catching the light with all the drama of a spotlight on a clandestine operation. Each stride is deliberate, each gaze calculated, as he monitors the colony’s every nook and cranny. No sunbeam goes unclaimed, no alley escapes scrutiny, and no human passes without at least one long, measured, disapproving stare—often accompanied by a slow, deliberate tail flick that says, “I see everything.” Though Horton conducts his duties with the seriousness of a spy on a mission, he is not without subtle charm. A well-timed purr, a gentle nuzzle, or the occasional strategic head-butt reminds the colony that even the most refined gentleman of “English lineage” can appreciate loyalty, companionship, and the occasional alliance… preferably one that involves treats or the perfect nap spot. He commands respect effortlessly—though he prefers it served with quiet ceremony, a sunbeam nap, and the tacit acknowledgment that the security and order of the colony are, naturally, his sole responsibility. And should anyone doubt his vigilance, Horton is known to demonstrate the occasional dramatic flourish: a leap onto a fence post, a careful survey of the rooftops, or a slow, deliberate prow along the garden path—all perfectly calculated to remind the colony that their sophisticated orange guardian is both ever-watchful and entirely unflappable. Back

Marilyn Chief Executive Officer & Guardian of Order Marilyn's Story For many years, Marilyn was the undisputed matriarch of her Neighborhood Cats Network colony - wise, formidable, and just intimidating enough to keep the entire operation in line. Imagine a grandmother who has seen absolutely everything, remembers all of it, and isn’t afraid to bring it up at dinner…only in fur. From the roof of her favorite cat cabin - her chosen throne - Marilyn quietly supervised her kingdom. Nothing escaped her notice. Not the young cats testing boundaries, not the suspicious raccoons, and certainly not the humans who mistakenly believed they were “in charge.” Many cats arrived full of confidence, attempted to challenge her authority, and quickly reconsidered under the weight of Marilyn’s legendary glare. Her memory was equally impressive. Marilyn could recall who stepped on her tail in 2019, which cat tried to steal her lunch three winters ago, and exactly which human was late with breakfast last Tuesday at 7:42 a.m. Forgiveness was possible…but it generally required time, sincere remorse, and preferably snacks. For most of her life, Marilyn ruled at a respectful distance. Feeders knew her only as a queen who tolerated no intrusion. Then last year, something remarkable happened. Slowly - so slowly it almost felt impossible - Marilyn began greeting the car in the mornings. A cautious step forward. A gentle pet. Trust built moment by moment. Knowing her age, we began gently practicing lifting her, just in case she ever needed help. Then winter came. A brutal one. As temperatures plunged below zero, we feared Marilyn’s aging body wouldn’t survive the cold. With heavy hearts, we brought her inside, expecting protest from the colony’s longtime ruler. Instead, we found an old soul who had already laid down her armor. Marilyn slept deeply for days, as if finally allowing herself to rest after years of vigilance. A veterinary visit confirmed she was in good health, but likely 15 or 16 years old - a senior who was simply too tired for outdoor life. Today, Marilyn lives indoors with her longtime feeder, perfectly content to sit on her ottoman and watch the world through the window. When she’s awake, she seeks out laps and returns the affection with thunderous purrs. Marilyn’s story is why Neighborhood Cats Network does this work - because even the fiercest community cats, when willing, deserve the chance to grow old in warmth, safety, and love. Back

Our Newsletters We’re excited to bring you the latest updates, stories, and accomplishments from Neighborhood Cats Network, Inc. Our newsletter highlights how your support is making a meaningful impact on the lives of so many community cats across Western NY. We hope you’ll take a few moments to look through its pages. Inside, you’ll discover heartwarming stories of resilience, where cats have found safety and hope through our efforts. You’ll also find updates on our ongoing projects, including the work we’re doing to provide winterized shelters and daily meals to ensure these cats are cared for year-round. Additionally, we share ways you can get involved, from volunteering and donating to helping us spread the word about our mission. Your compassion and generosity make all of this possible. Thank you for standing with us to create a brighter, safer future for community cats. Click on the pictures to view or print. Winter 2025 Why We Love Community Cats Fall 2025 A Note from Simon: A Little TNR Humor Summer 2025 When Fear Fades: The Quiet Triumph of Trust Winter Spring 2025 A Year of Impact: Protecting Community Cats and Empowering Caregivers Winter 2024 The Inaugural Neighborhood Cats Network Newsletter: Our Mission and Vision

PRIVACY POLICY . A legal disclaimer The explanations and information provided on this page are only general and high-level explanations and information on how to write your own document of a Privacy Policy. You should not rely on this article as legal advice or as recommendations regarding what you should actually do, because we cannot know in advance what are the specific privacy policies you wish to establish between your business and your customers and visitors. We recommend that you seek legal advice to help you understand and to assist you in the creation of your own Privacy Policy. Privacy Policy - the basics Having said that, a privacy policy is a statement that discloses some or all of the ways a website collects, uses, discloses, processes, and manages the data of its visitors and customers. It usually also includes a statement regarding the website’s commitment to protecting its visitors’ or customers’ privacy, and an explanation about the different mechanisms the website is implementing in order to protect privacy. Different jurisdictions have different legal obligations of what must be included in a Privacy Policy. You are responsible to make sure you are following the relevant legislation to your activities and location. What to include in the Privacy Policy Generally speaking, a Privacy Policy often addresses these types of issues: the types of information the website is collecting and the manner in which it collects the data; an explanation about why is the website collecting these types of information; what are the website’s practices on sharing the information with third parties; ways in which your visitors and customers can exercise their rights according to the relevant privacy legislation; the specific practices regarding minors’ data collection; and much, much more. To learn more about this, check out our article “Creating a Privacy Policy ”.

Food Pantry Program Neighborhood Cats Network’s Food Pantry program supports qualified caregivers in Western New York who are experiencing financial hardship, as well as the many community cat colonies directly managed by NCN. This initiative provides donated canned and dry cat food to individuals and colonies committed to feeding and caring for community cats. By reducing the cost burden, the program helps ensure these cats receive consistent, nutritious meals—essential for their health and well-being. The program is sustained through generous donations and food drives, with wish lists available on Chewy and Amazon to make contributing easy. If you would like to support our efforts, please click the following links. Please include your name and contact information, or email those details to info@neighborhoodcatsnetwork.org , so we may properly acknowledge your gift. AMAZON CHEWY Back

Education Initiative Program The Neighborhood Cats Network’s Education Initiative is the heart of our outreach, empowering communities to care for free-roaming cats with compassion and knowledge. Our program equips both new and experienced caregivers with practical tools to support humane, sustainable management of community cat populations. Through engaging presentations and interactive workshops, we spark dialogue, deepen understanding, and provide actionable guidance on everything from TNVRM (Trap- Neuter-Vaccinate-Return-Manage) principles to safe trapping, daily and seasonal colony care, and preparing for kitten season or extreme weather. Our clear, practical educational materials—both printed and digital—make it easy for anyone to take what they learn and put it into action. By fostering awareness and hands-on skills, the initiative not only improves cat welfare and reduces overpopulation but also strengthens community bonds. Ultimately, we cultivate a network of informed, compassionate citizens ready to coexist with and care for community cats—creating a safer, healthier world for both humans and animals. Back