TRAP AND RETURN
Trap Neuter Return (TNR) or Trap Vasectomy Hysterectomy Return (TVHR)
- TNR or TVHR programs are designed to assist in controlling the population of feral cats. When TNR/TVHR programs are used in conjunction with effective education programs for citizens, positive impacts are seen in the reduction of feral cats1.
- The best time to execute a TNR/TVHR program is right before or during the beginning of the cat mating season. One study showed that after a colony of 50 feral cats were all sterilized, the colony was reduced from 50 cats to an estimate 9 - 11 cats after 6 years2. Since the average lifespan of a feral cat is around five years3, this study shows the promise in a successful TNR/TVHR program.
- TNR/TVHR programs are most successful when oversight by individuals is frequent and cats yet to be sterilized are sterilized as soon as they enter a colony2.
- TNR/TVHR programs are not a quick fix, and require at least two breeding seasons to see a noticeable decrease in the cat population of an area4.
How TNR/TVHR Programs are Executed
- Cats are humanely trapped in specially designed traps set out in strategic locations
- The cat is then transferred to a veterinarian clinic or office
- The cat is anesthetized and checked for infectious disease
- If the cat tests positive for any infectious, incurable disease (such as FeLV or FIV) or has life-threatening injuries, euthanasia is conducted while the cat is under a surgical plane of anesthesia
- Rarely, FeLV or FIV positive cats can find home in a sanctuary for positive cats
- The cat is either spayed or neutered while under anesthesia
- The left ear of the cat is removed for permanent identification that this animal has been surgically sterilized
- Vaccines, antibiotics and pain medication (if needed) is administered
- The cat is allowed to recover in the clinic until it is coherent enough to be released
- The cat is usually released back to the location it was trapped
- If the cat is friendly or comfortable around humans, the cat can be placed up for adoption5
Ear tipping
- A method of identification used universally to determine if a feral cat has been sterilized or not is called ear tipping. Ear tipping is performed while the animal is under general anesthesia from the sterilization procedure and 10mm of the tip of the left ear is removed. With adequate analgesia and while under anesthesia, ear tipping is a humane way to recognize sterilized feral cats by noninvasive means6.
- Eart tipping does not impact the cat's ability to hear and is a requirement for any cat who has gone through a federal TNR/TVHR program7.
http://www.communitycatsmd.org/eartip.html
- Mendes-de-Almeida, F., Remy, G.L., Gershony, L.C., Rodrigues, D.P., Chame, M., & Labarthe, N.V. (2011). Reduction of feral cat (Felis catus Linnaeus 1758) colony size following hysterectomy of adult female cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 13(6), 436 - 440.
- Ireland, T., & Neilan, R.M. (2016). A spatial agent-based model of feral cats and analysis of population and nuisance controls. Ecological Modeling, 337(C), 123 - 136.
- Nutter, F., Levine, J. F., & Stoskopf, M. K. (2004). Reproduction capacity of free-roaming
domestic cats and kitten survival rate. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 225(9). 1339 – 1402. - Levy, J.K., Gale, D.W., Gale, L. A. (2003). Evaluation of the effect of long-term trap-neuter-
return and adoption program on a free-roaming cat population. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 222, 42 – 46. - Slater, M. (2002). Community Approaches to Feral Cats. Washington, DC: Humane Society Press.
- Gosling, L., Stavisky, J., & Dean, R. (2013). What is a feral cat?: Variation in definitions may be associated with different management strategies. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 15(9), 759 - 764.
- Levy, J.K. & Crawford, C. 2004. Humane strategies for controlling feral cat populations. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 225(9), 1354 - 1360.
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