TRAP NEUTER RETURN (TNR)

Raleigh NC

The cats are out there - everywhere.

What is a feral cat?

It is a cat that lives near humans but is not trustful of people. It may be a first or second generation "wild" cat. The very last thing on its agenda is sitting in you lap and becoming an indoor pet. Feral cats are very good at surviving on their own by scavenging food or attracting the help of cat-loving caretakers behind shopping centers, fast food restaurants, manufacturing plants, or in the woods on the edges of housing developments or apartment complexes. Alley Cat Allies (ACA) a national organization dedicated to assisting feral cats estimates there are TENS of MILLIONS in the US.

As part of our no-kill philosophy SAFE Haven has been assisting feral cats in our community for over ten years believing that all life should be valued and treated with respect. Part of this commitment to feral cats was put into action in July 2001 with the opening of our own in-house low cost spay and neuter clinic. In the past two years, 2,840 cats and kittens have passed through our clinic, many of them feral cats.

What is TNR?

TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) is a method of non-lethal feral cat control that is being embraced by governments, animal control agencies and of course, no-kill shelters all over the country. TNR is a program that offers a solution to feral cat overpopulation without killing healthy cats. The most important service we as caretakers can provide is sterilization.

How Does it Work?

Feral cats are trapped using humane traps which we demonstrate and loan at no charge. Cats arrive at SAFE Haven and receive complete medical care including vaccines (distemper & Rabies), testing for Feline Leukemia and FIV, treatment for fleas, worms and ear mites and most importantly, spaying or neutering. The cats are returned to their caretakers that day and after a two-day minimum indoor recovery period are released in their familiar environment where the caretakers continue to feed and monitor them.

What does it cost?

Because a full quarter of our annual budget goes into operating the Spay Neuter Clinic, we are able to provide these services for $75 per cat or less. In addition we are able to take tame cats and kittens from feral colonies and place them in our adoption program as space becomes available.

To learn more about feral cat management: visit Alley Cat Allies at www.alleycat.org or contact us.