Show HN: CatCompass – An app for tracking stray cats

Hey everyone,

I’m Dalton, the creator of CatCompass, and after years of beta testing in my local community, I’m excited to finally launch it globally!

What is CatCompass?

CatCompass is a crowdsourced platform for reporting stray cat sightings. Just snap a photo, and the app automatically tags your location—helping shelters, TNR programs, and rescue organizations better allocate resources where they’re needed most.

CatCompass Impact: Staying Close to the Problem

This platform isn’t just something I built—I actively rescue, vaccinate, sterilize, and find homes for stray cats myself. So far, I’ve personally helped over 20 cats since launching CatCompass. Being hands-on with this work keeps me connected to the reality of the problem—I never want to forget why I built CatCompass in the first place.

By staying directly involved in TNR, fostering, and adoption efforts, I ensure CatCompass isn’t just another app—it’s a tool built from real-world experience, designed to make a tangible impact on stray cat welfare.

CatCompass Sentry: Automated Colony Tracking

CatCompass Sentry is a feature designed to monitor cat colonies 24/7.

Here’s how it works: • When using the CatCompass camera, hit the shield icon to activate Sentry mode. • Aim your camera at a feeding station, shelter, or colony location. • The camera will automatically take a photo whenever it detects a cat—up to 4 times per hour. • Use an old phone or any webcam-enabled device to continuously track cat activity.

Sentry helps caregivers and rescue groups monitor stray cat activity without constantly being present, making it easier to track colony members, detect new arrivals, and ensure cats are eating safely.

AI-Powered Moderation for Better Data

To ensure accurate and effective reporting, CatCompass features an AI Moderator that analyzes each image for: • Outdoor settings to confirm the cat is a stray. • Collars or other identifiers to distinguish lost pets from true strays. • Eating behavior to track feeding patterns and support Compassion Credits. • And more

This AI-driven verification improves data accuracy and ensures that every reported sighting contributes valuable insights for rescue groups, shelters, and researchers.

Gamifying Compassion: Earn Rewards for Feeding Strays

Through our Compassion Credits program, users can earn rewards by feeding stray cats. Simply snap a photo of a feeding moment, collect credits, and redeem them for exclusive deals at participating businesses. It’s a way to incentivize kindness and turn everyday acts of compassion into a community-driven movement.

Join Us & Make an Impact

After years of local testing, CatCompass is now live globally, and I’d love for you to be a part of it. Whether you’re a cat lover, a TNR volunteer, or someone who just wants to make a difference, your contributions can help shape a better future for stray cats.

Check it out at https://CatCompass.com and let me know what you think!