frida's foundation

What is TNR?

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Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the humane and effective approach to reduce the overpopulation of stray and feral cats – collectively known as Community Cats. The cats are humanely trapped and taken to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered and vaccinated. After they have recovered from surgery, the cats are returned back to their original territory where a caretaker provides regular food and shelter. Since the cats can no longer reproduce, the colony size declines. 

 

Spaying and neutering also greatly reduce nuisance behavior, such as the fighting and yowling associated with mating. The odor caused by unaltered males spraying to mark territory disappears. Another benefit of TNR is that rodent control is maintained by the cats' continued presence. 

 

For many years, traditional animal control sought to decrease animal populations by a trap-and-kill method. However, research and time has shown that the trap-and-kill method is ineffective, whereas TNR reduces the population and keeps cats out of shelters. Fortunately, TNR also enjoys widespread community support. Research shows that most people would prefer to control the cat population through humane, non-lethal means than by killing healthy animals. Many communities, including ours, are seeing dramatic drops in cat intake and euthanasia at their local shelters as a result of TNR and other spay/neuter programs.  

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