Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) benefits the cats and the community. Cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and eartipped (the universal symbol of a neutered and vaccinated cat), and then returned to their outdoor home.The colony’s population stabilizes—no more kittens! Trap-Neuter-Return improves their lives and improves their relations with the community—the behaviors and stresses associated with mating stop. Trap-Neuter-Return is the humane, effective approach for feral cats.
Benefits for people in the community
Benefits to the Cats
Cats have been living outside for thousands of years and they will continue to be a part of our society whether we implement TNR or not. However, implementing TNR will not only benefit the community, it will help feral cats, too.
The sad reality is that the vast majority of feral cats brought into a shelter will be euthanized. However, if they are allowed to live out their natural lives, most can have a lifespan similar to a pet cat. And, according to a 2006 study of 103,643 stray and feral cats, less than 1% of the cats needed to be euthanized due to debilitating conditions, trauma, or infectious diseases.
Source: ASPCA Research
http://www.aspca.org/about-us
Benefits for people in the community
- Fewer cats: According to Alley Cat Allies, over time TNR reduces the size of feral cat colonies anywhere from 16% to 66%. Additionally, if you remove friendly kittens from a feral colony and put them up for adoption, the reduction in the number of cats will be immediate.
Less smell: Neutered male cats will mark their territory less, thus cutting down on the smell in the community. And, of course, with fewer cats there will be less smell overall. - Less noise: Neutered cats make less noise and fight less. In fact, some research indicates that animal control receives fewer feral cat complaints when TNR is implemented in a community.
- Rodent control: Although there is not a lot of research on this topic, some neighbors of feral cat colonies report a decrease in rodent populations.
- Disease reduction: Most rabies is transmitted by wildlife, not feral cats. Even so, the majority of TNR programs vaccinate ferals for rabies—meaning vaccinated feral cats are much less likely to acquire or transmit the virus and much less likely to pose a threat to humans or other animals. Additionally, some TNR programs offer a FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia) vaccination.
Benefits to the Cats
Cats have been living outside for thousands of years and they will continue to be a part of our society whether we implement TNR or not. However, implementing TNR will not only benefit the community, it will help feral cats, too.
The sad reality is that the vast majority of feral cats brought into a shelter will be euthanized. However, if they are allowed to live out their natural lives, most can have a lifespan similar to a pet cat. And, according to a 2006 study of 103,643 stray and feral cats, less than 1% of the cats needed to be euthanized due to debilitating conditions, trauma, or infectious diseases.
Source: ASPCA Research
http://www.aspca.org/about-us
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