The Trap-Neuter-Release scheme, commonly referred to as “TNR” is the only proven method to be humane and effective when controlling the stray cat population growth. Using this technique, the stray cats in a colony are trapped and sterilised by the neutering of males and spaying of females.
Each cat is marked by “ear tipping”, cropping 1/4 inch (6 mm) off of the tip of their left ear, so that it can be easily recognised as having been sterilised and as a member of a managed colony, so that the animal is not subjected to unnecessary surgery, confinement or euthanasia.
After the cat is sterilised, it is placed back in the trap and allowed to recover from surgery and then returned to their territory where caretakers can provide them with regular food and water. In a few days after being released, the cats will return to their usual routines. Young kittens, as well as friendly adults, who can still be socialised are placed in foster care and eventually adopted into good homes.
TNR has many advantages:
- It stabilises the size of a cat colony by eliminating new litters.
- The nuisance behaviour often associated with stray cats is dramatically reduced, including the yowling and fighting that come with mating activities and the odour of unneutered males spraying to mark their territory.
- The cats are returned to live the remainder of their lives (which is 6 years on average for feral cats) and continue to provide natural rodent control.
- When practiced on a large scale, TNR lessens the number of kittens and cats needing to be re-homed.
TNR is not only the best alternative for managing stray cat populations, but it is also the only one that works. Doing nothing has resulted in the current overpopulation crisis. Trying to “rescue” cats and find them all homes is unfortunately utopian and unattainable, given their numbers and the futility of trying to socialise most of them.
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