what is tnr?

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the best, most humane and effective approach to control feral cats. They are gently trapped, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped* and returned to their outdoor home. 

Why are they here?

Cats will choose a place based on their needs: food and shelter. Cats will gravitate around such locations. Ferals are cats who have become or were born wild; they might have even begun as indoor cats who have become abandoned, lost or stray.

Why can’t you just take them to be re-homed?

Simply put: there is nowhere for them to go. Shelters operate at full capacity with pets that are re-homeable. Feral cats are not always good candidates for adoption. Though some young feral cats can find new homes, they require socialization and time, which is a luxury shelters do not have (due to lack of funding or space).

Euthanasia — which is cruel and ineffective—will not rid an area of the problem. More cats will simply move in to replace the ones who were guarding the area before them and the cycle of breeding feral cats will start all over again.

*Ear tipping is the universal symbol of a neutered and vaccinated cat and is a painless procedure done while the cat is under anesthesia during its neuter/spay surgery.

Why does TNR work?

With no more breeding, the colony’s population stabilizes! The released TNR cats have improved lives and relations with the community because the behaviors and stresses associated with mating stop.

What can I do to help outdoor cats?

· FIRST, please do not contribute to the problem. Spay and neuter your own cats and keep them indoors.*

· Don’t feed and forget feral cats. Feeding these lost cats is generous, but they need shelter and health care as well. If you can’t manage ongoing care, at least get them spayed or neutered! Colony Care.

· Show you care with cash. A small donation can make a big difference in the life of a stray or feral: As little as $25 will get one cat spayed or neutered with ear tipping and a rabies vaccination!

· Volunteer your time. We rely on volunteer help for: trapping, transportation to and from PetFix, fostering, organization, fund-raising and community education.

· Become a colony caretaker. If you think you can provide ongoing help to a colony call us to find out how. Click here for a List of Resources.

*DID YOU KNOW that…one cat can have between 6 and 24 kittens per year! Their kittens can then breed as early as 4-6 months of age. Spaying ONE cat saves many more lives…