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TNR – Top 10 Reasons to Start a TNR Program, A Shelter Perspective

Learn how Trap-Neuter-Return Programs benefit feral cats & shelters. Discover the policy evolution, advocacy, and positive impacts of TNR.

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TNR – Top 10 Reasons to Start a TNR Program, A Shelter Perspective

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  1. TNR – Top 10 Reasons to Start a TNR Program, A Shelter Perspective Humane Society of Huron Valley

  2. Feral Roots • Lost or Abandoned domestic cats, or their descendants • Little to no contact with humans • Contact with humans started too late • Not socialized to humans • Are not fit for living indoors as pets • Can be socialized if kittens are under 8 weeks • Females spend most of their time pregnant and starving • Fighting and disease spread is most commonly a result of male cats looking for mates.

  3. Feral Cats • Do Not Vocalize • Do Not Approach Humans • Nocturnal Typically • Appear Well Groomed • Do not eat until humans leave • Strays • Approach People and Food • Vocalize • Appear Disheveled • Appear at all hours

  4. Basic Principles Behind TNR • Trap • Feral Cats are humanely trapped in live traps • Neuter • Feral Cats are Sterilized, ear tipped for recognition, and vaccinated against Rabies Virus. • Return • Cats are given a sufficient time (typically overnight) to rest post surgery and then are returned to their original habitat • Volunteer colony caretakers continue to provide food and monitor health issues in the colony

  5. Policy Evolution • Like many shelters, we used to accept feral cats for euthanasia. • Since 2008, we stopped this practice, and it does work. • In 2007 we accepted 293 feral cats for euthanasia, in 2008 we accepted 163, and in 2009 we accepted 2. • Since 2007 we have sterilized 4,000 feral cats!!

  6. 1. euthanasia of healthy animals • Reducing needless euthanasia of healthy animals: • humane standpoint • effectiveness standpoint - (we euthanized feral cats for decades and it made NO impact on population) • The leading cause of death in cats is euthanasia in shelters • No one is forcing shelters to euthanize feral cats • Education of Community • Education of Staff • Quick Access to TNR for cats brought in

  7. 2. Reduce Organizational Stress • Costs involved with euthanizing a cat are the same for sterilizing it • Compassion Fatigue - Staff do not want to euthanize a healthy animal • Sends a confusing message to the public that you will take their companion animals for adoption and their feral cats for euthanasia

  8. 3. Elevate Cat Worth • Sends an important message to the community that the lives of feral cats and cats in general are valuable • Cats are not a disposable commodity to be discarded at any time • Not just “Crazy Cat Ladies” that want to take care of these animals.

  9. 4. Keeps Us Mission Focused • Gets shelters out of the “nuisance” business which is inconsistent with our mission of animal welfare. • Focuses on community education and promoting the health of cats, exactly what we hope to accomplish. • Since 2007 we have successfully sterilized more cats and euthanized less.

  10. 5. Promotes Health of Feral Cats • Increases the health of feral cat colonies and makes their lives less harsh • Reduces malnutrition • Colonies stay monitored for health concerns • Teaches the respect for animal life to the community, therefore improving their treatment in the long term. • Over half of feral kittens die within the first year of life. • Feral cats are typically as healthy as indoor cats.

  11. 6. Human Safety • Providing Rabies vaccination for all TNR cats helps prevent spread of Rabies to people and our pets. • Sterilized Cats are healthier and happier, meaning less risk of exposure to people and pets in general. • Feral cats do not attack humans unless provoked, they are typically elusive to humans as part of their instinctual survival behavior • Disease Control – Not the purpose of TNR, we do not FelV/FIV test as part of the process.

  12. 7. Actual Reduction In Population • Colony providers have reported significant reduction in population over time. • Vacuum Effect • Euthanasia of Feral Cats so far has been the only other option and that clearly is not working. • Cats will breed to full capacity • Cats fill in when resources are available to fill the vacuum created by removal/euthanasia of a colony

  13. 8. Adoption Options • Kittens • Can be socialized depending on age/resources • Abandoned Domesticated Cats

  14. 9. Community Support • Created more good will and trust within our community of supporters, which translates into more donations • Community sees your organization as a safe place for all animals • Creates trust of colony caretakers that is critical to get buy in to the program

  15. 10. For the Love of the Cats!!

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