Trap, Neuter, Release
What is Trap, Neuter, Release?
Trap, neuter, release (also known as TNR) is the method for humanely and effectively managing cat colonies. The main goal of TNR is to reduce the population of free-roaming cats (homeless cats) in the community. The entire process involves trapping the cats, having them spayed and neutered, and then releasing them back to their colony. Usually, while these cats are under anesthesia for surgery, they will also be ear-tipped for identification and receive vital vaccinations such as rabies.
Whenever possible, friendly adults and young kittens who can be socialized are removed from the colony completely and placed for adoption. Usually, any cat colony members who remain are provided with shelters and fed regularly by a caretaker.
What are the advantages?
The biggest advantage of TNR is that no more kittens are born into the colony and the population of the colony will gradually decline. Reducing the number of homeless cats in the community is beneficial for not only the cats, but also the neighborhood, and the shelters in it, who are already overwhelmed with homeless cats and kittens everyday.
TNR also significantly reduces any nuisance behavior that a cat colony can create. Such as loud noises made when mating or fighting, or male cats spraying to mark their territory. When cats are fixed, all of these behaviors are significantly decreased and in some cases eliminated completely.
Did you know? A fertile cat can produce an average of three litters in one year. The average number of kittens in a feline litter is four to six. This means up to 4,948 kittens can be born from one unspayed female cat and her offspring in seven years.
Why TNR?
TNR is a very effective way to manage cat colonies! No other technique has a realistic chance of long-term success such as TNR does. Simply removing them from the colony (whether you are relocating or performing euthanisia) does not work as new cats will replace the old ones. Feeding bans, besides being cruel, are also ineffective as cats will find other means to find food, such as digging through trash cans. Doing absolutely nothing, means the population will grow uncontrollably.
Ultimately, targeting the cats’ reproductive capacity through spay/neuter and returning them back to their territory is the best approach for lowering their numbers, reducing their impact on the environment and improving their lives.
If you are interested in learning more about TNR or want to start trapping your local community cats, All About Animals provides free classes and resources for people in our community who want to help. If you are currently a caretaker of a cat colony and need help with the TNR process, please contact Angie’s Alley Cats to get started.
Please remember- always spay and neuter your pets!