Feral Cat Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Program
This program involves going into colonies of feral cats, trapping them for spaying/neutering and rabies vaccines, and then returning them to their outdoor homes.
Our Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Program
Promotes healthy feline communities through careful population control
About the Program
This program allows for controlled cat colonies, reduces the unwanted cat overpopulation and reduces the risk of sick cats from unmanageable environments. Each year on average, Cats Anonymous TNR’s between 70-100 adult breeding cats from feral cat colonies. This requires a tremendous amount of volunteer time for planning, scouting, trapping and transporting these cats. It also accumulates veterinary bills very quickly. But we think it is one of our most valuable endeavors!
You Can Make a Difference
One breeding pair of cats will easily produce a colony of 430 new offspring by the third year of uncontrolled breeding.
Thereby, with the generous help of our supporters, by spaying and neutering these 70 cats, Cats Anonymous has effectively been able to reduce the cat overpopulation by 15,120 every year! All thanks to your support!
The Care We Offer
While in our care, the cats will receive the following veterinary services:
– Spay or Neuter
– Vaccines including Rabies
– Parasite Control
– Ear tipping & Microchipping for Permanent Identification
The cats will then be returned to their original colony location, where resident caretakers will continue to provide food and water for them daily, as well as outdoor shelter for inclement weather. Any kittens under the age of 12 weeks are assessed and can be kept at the shelter for taming and adoption if they are not too feral already. We also offer a maintenance program for all our managed feral colonies, where we do twice yearly parasite treatments and also attend to any medical issues that may arise in the future.
Prioritising the Cat’s Comfort
We do not offer relocation services for feral cats, as we don’t feel that it is in the best interest of the cat.
Feral cats are very territorial and are quite attached to their location / territory. We believe that for a feral cat, the best situation for them is to stay in their territory, provided they are being fed daily and have some sort of winter shelter. It has been our experience that many relocated feral cats do not stay in their new locations. They feel displaced, and if there are other cats already in the barn, they are frequently not accepted and can be chased off. Then they are left in an unfamiliar territory with no shelter or known food source. We believe that relocation should only be done in dire circumstances, where the cat is in immediate danger. When the cats are spayed / neutered they usually settle down and stop the behaviours that tend to annoy humans which makes them much easier to live with. No more night howling, fighting, breeding, spraying, and no litters of kittens being born year after year. A spayed / neutered and managed feral colony is a much happier and healthier life for feral cats.
TNR Application Form
If you are in need of assistance with a feral cat, kittens or a cat colony, please fill out our TNR Program application and we will do our best to assist you. Our program can accommodate 100 TNR surgeries per year, so space is limited and colonies within our 40-50km radius are given first priority. If we are unable to help, we will offer some suggestions of other groups in your area who may be able to help.
Interested in Learning More or Contributing?
Get in touch with us if you are interesting in volunteering or donating towards this program. The cats will be grateful for your support.