TNR 101

There are many homeless cats living hard lives on their own. Some ("strays")
are abandoned or lost pets; others ("ferals") were born wild. Some are lucky
enough to find adequate shelter and a dependable food sourse, and are able
to eke out decent lives. Most are not so fortunate.

Some of the most difficult challenges of feral and stray cats are faced by
the females. They must forage and defend themselves while heavily pregnant,
hope to give birth to healthy babies while their own health and nutrition is
questionable, feed the extra mouths, and try to keeps several active
youngsters safe while teaching them to survive in a harsh environment.
Almost before the young ones are ready to take care of themselves, it is
time to give birth again.

Most feral and stray kittens die young. Those who survive go on to produce
more homeless kittens.

TNR stands for "Trap, Neuter, Return". Many people have never heard of it.
It is a method of helping feral and stray cats that springs from the idea
that the very best thing we can do for homeless cats is to see that fewer of
them are born in the first place.

Volunteers trap the cats in humane traps, have them neutered/spayed
("speutered"), and return them to the same site.

A "managed colony" is a group of feral/stray cats who live in a reasonably
safe area, have been TNR'ed, have adequate shelter, and are fed and
supervised regularly by one or more "caretakers". A colony may consist of
one cat, up to several dozen.

TNR is somewhat controversial even among animal rescuers and activists. Some
feel that it is impossible for stray and feral cats, even in a managed
colony, to have a decent quality of life- and that it is more humane to trap
and euthanize the cats. Some well-known national animal-rights organizations
hold this view as well.

Once the cats have been speutered (some rescuers, funds permitting, also
provide the cats with vaccinations and other care), their health and quality
of life- as well as their nuisance level- goes way down. They fight less,
spray and yowl less, wander less, and the females are not taxed by the
birthing cycle. They kill fewer birds, are injured less often, and spread
fewer diseases among themselves. They are also not producing any more
homeless cats!

Please see our "TNR How-to" for in-depth information as to how anyone can
start doing TNR in their local area.