Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  TNR programs

    Posted 10 days ago

    While there has been an increased awareness to reduce the number of unwanted domestic cats and dogs through public campaigns such as the "adopt don't shop" movement , there seems to be little focus on one of the remaining area of cruelty which is feral cat colonies.  In many neighborhoods, concerned citizens leave out food but do nothing to treat disease, injuries, and predation of feral cats.

    While there is some controversy about Trap, Neuter, Release programs that target feral colonies, the reality is that these cats have no options for them to be removed from the street and placed in homes, due to the sheer volume of domestic kittens available to the public.   Our Neighborhood Pet Project believes that a two part TNR strategy of trapping and altering adults along with trapping kittens can be the best option to target this problem.  Kittens who are taken into foster care at a young age can be domesticated and adopted to homes. 

    We hope more rescues are able to do this work as the benefits to communities are valuable. 


    #CommunityCatManagement

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    Lou Rinehart
    Board Member
    Our Neighborhood Pet Project
    CA
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  • 2.  RE: TNR programs

    Posted 9 days ago

    My rescue is located in South Padre Island, Texas, and faces an overwhelming feral animal problem, largely due to pet abandonment and the area's low-income status. Often, people acquire pets without the means to afford spaying or neutering, or they lack education on its importance, leading to the abandonment of pregnant animals which leads to their kittens becoming feral. Friends of Animal Rescue collaborates with Animal Control and community members to intake these cats for medical care before re-releasing them. We are fortunate to have individuals willing to reintroduce the animals onto their property or incorporate them into their existing colonies once they are ready for release.

    Occasionally, we are fortunate enough to have a soon-to-be mother cat brought to us. Late last year, a feral cat pregnant with her third litter was brought in. Her kittens were born just hours after her arrival. She had four healthy kittens, which we successfully socialized, vetted, and adopted to loving homes. After being spayed and vaccinated, she was returned to her community. We've also seen an influx of large male cats recently and positive FIV/FeLV cases as they tend to fight and share bowls that well-meaning residents put out for them.

    The importance of TNR programs is continually reinforced for me, particularly when dealing with sick and injured animals. 



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    Margot Light
    Director of Grants
    SPI Friends of Animal Rescue
    TX
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: TNR programs

    Posted 9 days ago

    Lou-

    Thank you for the wonderful life-changing work you are doing.  I am a strong proponent of TNVR and love seeing the difference it makes.  As someone that has been dedicated to helping feral and community cats for over 12 years, I am always willing to work with and learn from other groups and rescues. 

    While I see injuries, illness, starvation and disease in colonies, I also see tnvr'd cats thriving.  I maintain 13 colonies, none at my home, but those I've come across through my work in underserved neighborhoods.  I make sure all of the cats in these colonies are altered, vaccinated (sometimes boostered), provided with wet and dry food served in clean bowls daily and shelter.  I also think it's very important to provide clean water in clean bowls daily.  For those that I can touch, I apply flea treatment, clean ears and provide dewormer.  I've been caring for these cats (approximately 45) for over 10 years.  There have been a couple that I have lost over the years but the majority are doing fantastic.  Am I able to provide for all of the medical needs that arise?  No way!  But, I do the best I can.  If I see suffering I will have them euthanized, but knowing when can be tricky.  In one colony there was a mom and son that were never seen apart.  In fact, they would cry for each other as they made their way to the feeding station. One day  mom showed up with ataxia.  It seemed to get worse and I struggled with taking her to have her euthanized, but knew that I couldn't take her away from her son.  He would be devastated not knowing what happened to her. To my surprise, she has gotten better and is at the feeding station every day.  This was months ago!  However, her son that was seemingly healthy, hasn't been seen in weeks.  

    When I do TNVR I am focused on just that, TNVR.  I am not there to do rescue work.  Where would I take the kittens that I find and that others working with me find in the colonies? Every shelter is already full of litters, the fosters have no room left at their homes and this is from someone that works at a shelter!  When I can, I will foster a litter or tube/bottle feed kittens, but I know that I making a bigger difference by preventing more kittens from being born.  I commend rescues that can do TNVR and manage taking in the kittens too, but I always remember not to let perfect be the enemy of good.  

    Kudos to you and good luck as we go through another kitten deluge. 



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    Gina Jennings
    Community Impact Dynamo
    SPCA Wake County
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    Original Message


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