TNR +P: What does it mean for the community cats?

While the concept of managing community cat populations through non-lethal means existed earlier in Europe and the UK, organized Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts began gaining momentum in the United States in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

So, what does this mean for the community cat?

*Trap: The first step to get them the care they deserve. The community Cats are trapped humanely and safely.

*Neuter (Spayed): The community cats are trapped then taken to an area animal clinic (veterinarian) where they are neutered (male) or spayed (female).

There are several crucial reasons for this:

A. Preventing reproduction

B. Reducing nuisance behavior

C. Improving health

With Reproductive prevention this helps the community cats in stopping the cycle of unwanted kittens.

Speaking of female felines and reproduction?

A Female Feline is also known as a queen.

The break down:

• Gestation period: average pregnancy lasts 63 to 65 days.

• Heat cycle: female felines can go into heat every 2 to 3 was.

• Multiple litters: Their Gestation period is short. They can go back into heat after giving birth. Theoretically felines can have up to four to five litters in a given year.

• Average litters size is typically four to six kittens.

Example: the female Feline that had multiple litters in a given a year; say an average of five kittens per litter. She could have up to 15 kittens that given year.

Feline reproductive prevention is preventing the unwanted pregnancy and reducing the overpopulation of community cats.

The other word for Spaying "ovariohysterectomy" involves the surgical removal of the female felines ovaries and uterus: preventing pregnancy and heat cycles. Neutering "Orchiectomy"; otherwise the removal of a male felines "testicles": stops the ability to impregnate females plus reducing or eliminating behaviors such as roaming, spraying, and aggressiveness.

The benefits includes reduction in overpopulation of community cats; in female, a reduction in certain types of cancer, such as mammary, uterine, and ovarian, eliminating heat cycles, reducing fighting and roaming in males, and both are more affectionate companions.

*Return

Returning the community cats back to their original location after recovery. Community cats are typically ear tipped as a universal sign of being TNR and vaccinated.

Basically the bottom line benefits of TNR:

• Reduction in overpopulation

• Improvement in lives of community cats

• Offers a better outcome for socialized cats

• More targeted approach "more nuance approach management of community cats populations "

• Reducing the strain of resources

• Addresses community concerns

Finally,

This recognizes that not all feral cats are truly feral and aims to provide the most appropriate outcome. Providing population control with the opportunity for adoption to those community cats that can successfully transfer to indoor living.

Please support community education on the TNR programs.

Also, continue to support the Barbara Grannan Carie Feline Sanctuary. Pat and Tricia Carie need all the help they can get.

Michael Devine

Independent Writer