Trap-Neuter-Return, also known as TNR is a program instituted to try
and control feral cat populations. TNR is humanely live trapping cats,
taking them to a vet to be spayed or neutered and vaccinated and then
returning them to their homes, the colonies they were trapped from.
Cats that have undergone TNR posses an ear tip. An ear tip is the
removal of the top quarter in of the left ear in a straight line.
The Process
The steps to TNR are:
-
Get training
-
Work with the neighborhood
-
Establish a feeding pattern, count the cats and set out shelters and feeding stations.
-
Find a holding space
-
Arrange for spay and/or neuter, traps and transportation
-
Actual Trapping
-
Care taking
Many people ask why you should put feral cats back into the outdoors
when they could be adopted. The answer is that they can’t. While most
kittens and some cats are social enough to live with humans. In the
past other less humane methods have been used to try and control feral
cat populations. Some include trap and euthanize, adoption, relocation
and cat sanctuaries These just do not work. Almost all, if not all lead
to the vacuum effect. The vacuum effect is when cats that are removed
from colonies are simply replaced by other cats. This means that any
efforts made were in vain because while you have removed some cats they
are just being replaced by other cats, which are most likely not spayed
or neutered. With TNR you know cats are spayed or neutered and there
will be less or no new cats in the area because the current cats will
defend their territory. TNR also significantly reduces or eliminates
unwanted behavior such as yowling, spraying, loud mating, and
wandering. All in all TNR is a better and more humane way to eventually
eliminate feral colonies
