It took two years for an experienced rescuer, Erica Danger, to catch an elusive orange tomcat named Suge. The “super elusive” cat always avoided the TNR (trap, neuter, return) traps set out for him in the cat colony. Since he wasn’t neutered, he was having a wild time and making lots of kittens that would each require rescue. Worse, he was badly wounded, so being caught was the best thing that could happen for him – he just didn’t know it.

Images and media via Instagram/ericalikescats
Catching the Elusive ‘White Whale’ After 2 Years
When rescuer Erica finally caught Suge, it was a time for celebration! It was like catching her “white wale” feral tomcat. Even better, she caught his little buddy in the same trap. That was likely his son, named Tupac. (They were soon separated into their own traps.)
Catching Suge meant that he could finally get veterinary care for a bad wound. Left untreated, such wounds could easily become fatal.
“Suge has a nasty wound on his side that needs medical attention, and both of these Lil’ Homies will be getting neutered!” Erica shared.
Catching Suge and Tupac brought the total to 19 cats she trapped in the colony. Two of those were kittens she had fostered the previous year who went on to find furever homes. Now, the tomcats wouldn’t be fighting for territory or mates as much or making more babies left to struggle on the streets.
“There was plenty of, ahem…California Love happening at this colony before…but these cats are happier, healthier, and no longer contributing to the cat overpopulation problem!” she explained.
The rescuer worked with the nonprofit Feral Change to get these cats the needed care. That care can include important vaccinations, flea treatment, a microchip, and in Suge’s case, life-saving medical care.
The Exciting Moment of Releasing Healthy (and Fixed!) Cats
Catching a slippery white whale like Suge and his son is exciting for those who do TNR work. But it’s equally satisfying when you return the feral cats who have received care to live out their lives in their chosen outdoor home. And it’s amazing when socialized cats and kittens can become pampered house cats for life!
“Rescue work is life-saving for animals…and life-changing for humans, really. And because Trap-Neuter-Return makes an especially big impact, it means so much to me to do this work!” she shared.
Here’s Erica Danger sharing the moment when she watched the cats she helped trap a month prior take off to return home. As you can see, they can’t wait to get back to their old haunts. But now, they will be healthier and have a better quality of life, which also helps people in the communities where they live.
“It may be just a few cats, but they’ll all be healthier, happier, and no longer contributing to the cat overpopulation problem. 🙌🏼 #TNRworks”
Images and media via Instagram/ericalikescats
Erica Danger, Cat Photographer
When professional cat photographer Erica Danger isn’t taking stunning photos of cats, she’s fostering and practicing TNR. To help fund the rescue work, she began designing and creating items like fun catnip toys and masks during the pandemic.
Danger has taken photos of animals since childhood, and cat photography became a major part of her career in 2015. Since then, she’s photographed thousands of felines, including in the nonprofit rescue and shelter world, focused on community cats. A lifetime of interacting with cats in all kinds of situations helps in all kinds of ways.

Image by Erica Danger via Facebook
Getting even one good photo of cats in a shelter goes a long way to helping them find a home. It’s even better if you can tell their story in a way that helps people connect with the cat’s unique purrsonality.
It all takes a lot of patience, planning, experience, and technique.
“This guy’s name is PENGUIN. How stinking cute is that?!” she shared.

Image by Erica Danger via Facebook
Sharing pictures of TNR efforts helps start discussions on how much it helps cats and people. Importantly, those pics or videos don’t have to be professional. Also, you don’t need a huge social media following to make an impact.
“Everybody benefits from TNR, not just the cats, not just the people who love the cats, or the people who hate the cats, it’s all the people,” she explained in The Community Cats Podcast. “It’s good for the birds too!” she added.
To learn more about Erica and her work, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, or her website.