What is TNR?
Commonly referred to as “TNR,” (trap, neuter, return) is the only method proven to be humane and effective at controlling feral cat population growth. Using this technique, feral cats in a colony are trapped, neutered and then returned to their territory where caretakers provide them with regular food and shelter. Young kittens who can still be socialized, as well as friendly adults, are placed in foster care and eventually adopted out to good homes.
TNR has many advantages. It immediately stabilizes the size of the colony by eliminating new litters. The nuisance behavior often associated with feral cats is dramatically reduced, including the yowling and fighting that come with mating activity and the odor of unneutered males spraying to mark their territory. The returned colony also guards its territory, preventing unneutered cats from moving in and beginning the cycle of overpopulation and problem behavior anew. Particularly in urban areas, the cats continue to provide natural rodent control.
Another significant advantage to TNR is that, when practiced on a large scale, it lessens the number of kittens and cats flowing into local shelters. This results in lower euthanasia rates and the increased adoption of cats already in the shelters.
TNR is not just the best alternative to managing feral cat populations – it is the only one that works. Doing nothing has resulted in the current overpopulation crisis. Trying to “rescue” the cats and find them all homes is utopian and unattainable given their numbers and the futility of trying to socialize most of them. Trap and remove, is simply ineffective unless the cats are in danger and their source of shelter and food is no longer available due to land development etc.
If all the cats are not caught, then the ones left behind breed until the former population level is reached. It is very important when doing a mass trapping that colony care takers monitor the are for any new unaltered cats that may show up. Even if all the cats are removed, new unneutered cats can move in to take advantage of whatever food source there was if food is continues to be provided, and the cycle starts again. This explains why more and more animal control agencies are willing to try TNR.
TNR is not just the best alternative to managing feral cat populations – it is the only one that works. Doing nothing has resulted in the current overpopulation crisis. Trying to “rescue” the cats and find them all homes is utopian and unattainable given their numbers and the futility of trying to socialize most of them. Trap and remove, is simply ineffective unless the cats are in danger and their source of shelter and food is no longer available due to land development etc.
If all the cats are not caught, then the ones left behind breed until the former population level is reached. It is very important when doing a mass trapping that colony care takers monitor the are for any new unaltered cats that may show up. Even if all the cats are removed, new unneutered cats can move in to take advantage of whatever food source there was if food is continues to be provided, and the cycle starts again. This explains why more and more animal control agencies are willing to try TNR.
How We Can Help With TNR?
Operation Hood offers assistance with TNR in our community. In order for a TNR project to be successful, a "plan" must be set in place for the project to run smoothly. There is more to TNR than just simply trapping the cat. A successful TNR plan must consist of the following: coordinating the trapping, setting up the TNR appointment, transporting the cat to and from the appointment, and aftercare of the cat during recovery.
Operation Hood is not a shelter, our volunteers are not paid staff, and we do not have a holding facility for cats. We depend on the support of the community and our dedicated volunteers that give of their time to educate and assist with TNR projects to help community cats in our area. If you require assistance with TNR, please complete the TNR Request Form below. We do ask for your support in this process to make it successful.
Operation Hood is not a shelter, our volunteers are not paid staff, and we do not have a holding facility for cats. We depend on the support of the community and our dedicated volunteers that give of their time to educate and assist with TNR projects to help community cats in our area. If you require assistance with TNR, please complete the TNR Request Form below. We do ask for your support in this process to make it successful.