Most communities have feral cat colonies. The most effective way of dealing with these colonies is a Trap, Neuter, Return program. A TNR program will help to reduce the size and growth of the colony, prevent disease through the use of vaccinations, reduce fighting, yowling and wandering, allow the cats to hold their own territory from invading animals and help with rodent control. Established feeding areas keep the cats in their own territory as well.

Colonies typically consist of feral, abandoned, lost and friendly cats and kittens all living together. A TNR program humanely traps the cats, brings them to a vet for full checkup, neuter or spay, vaccination and an ear-tip. They are then returned to their colony after recovery. The ear-tip is a small snip off the top of one ear to indicate that the cat has been neutered, and does not need to be trapped again.

If a cat is human friendly, or is young enough to be socialized, it will be fostered and adopted, thus reducing the number of cats returned to the colony.

A mountain of scientific evidence exists showing that the current practice of trapping and killing colony cats is ineffective in reducing numbers or nuisances. Tax dollars are spent to support animal control and euthanasia, but the vacuum created in colonies by this practice attracts new, unneutered and diseased cats. By adopting TNR, the cats are no longer able to reproduce, and they maintain the territory of their colony. Long term, the colony size will shrink and tax money can be used for other issues.

TNR benefits shelters by reducing the burden of feral cats that need to be disposed. It also allows communities to adopt colonies and care for the cats. Many colony cats bond with their keepers and create relationships with humans. TNR also improves the lives of the colony cats by reducing disease, fighting, mating, kittens, starvation and suffering.

TNR is a proven method in many countries and is being adopted all over the United States. Consider joining a local animal rescue group and visiting with your local government officials to introduce the idea of a TNR program in your community.