Our feral cat assistance program promotes the control and care of feral (untamed outdoor) cats through the humane Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) method. On a case by case basis, we provide education on how to trap and care for the feral cats living near or around residential homes and other locations while at the same time maintaining a peaceful co-existence with humans. When available, we will loan humane traps. We cannot, however, actually do the trapping. In addition, through our spay/neuter subsidy program, we pay a portion of the sterilization cost.
What is a Feral Cat?
A feral cat is an undomesticated cat born in the outdoors most likely as the result of abandonment and failure to spay/neuter. They are elusive and untrusting of humans. Feral cats tend to breed uncontrollably and gather in colonies which are found in every city in America.
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What is TNR?
Feral cats are humanely trapped, spayed/neutered, vaccinated and ear-tipped (the universally accepted mark of surgically clipping the left ear indicating that the feral cat has been sterilized) and returned to their outdoor home to be tended to by a caretaker. Feral cats usually live in colonies, and the caretaker’s duties are to provide food, water and shelter, and monitor the colonies for new members and illness.
Feral cats depend on the kindness of individuals to care for them and allow them to remain in their outdoor homes. There are no sanctuaries that will take feral cats, and because by nature they are not socialized to humans, adopting them out is not an option. If you find homeless cats near your home, it will be up to you to care for them. If you take feral cats to an animal shelter, they will be killed. |
