Trap-Neuter-Return

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), also known as Trap-Test-Vaccinate-Alter-Release (TTVAR) is a method of humanely trapping unaltered feral cats, spaying or neutering them, and releasing them back to the same location where they were collected. TNR is promoted by the ASPCA as a humane and more effective alternative to euthanasia for managing and reducing feral cat populations as per APSCA NYCFCI feral cat sterilization guidelines. This procedure has been proven to work by stopping the birth of new cats in the colony and letting the colony members live out their lifespan, approx 6yrs for outdoor cats, with their own group. Generally a colony will have no more than twelve adult cats at any one time. If there are more than that number the colony will discourage newcomers and some of the current members may look for other food sources, neighboring houses etc that have food to offer. Feral cats have many advantages as pest control for people that own acreage and/or have a farm environment. Feral cats are generally excellent hunters yet large part of the feral cats diet is actually insects. Opponents claim that the procedure has negative impacts on wildlife and contend that the program poses health risks to local communities when not properly maintained.

Methodology

Feral cat recovering from spay surgery.

Feral kitten, approximately nine months old, with the tip of his left ear removed to indicate he has been trapped and neutered.

Trap-Neuter-Return begins with the trapping of feral cats using humane cage traps. The captured feral cats are taken (in the trap) to a TNR spay/neuter location usually run by the local animal control services or animal charity facility where they are sterilized by the neutering of males and spaying of females for a nominal fee. Typical TNR programs also involve providing the cats vaccinations against certain diseases like rabies, feline panleukopenia, herpes, and calicivirus. The rabies vaccine is usually automatically included, while the other vaccines are optional. Finally the cat is marked by "ear tipping", cropping 1/4 inch (6 mm) off of the tip of the left ear, so that it can be easily recognized as having been sterilized and as a member of a managed colony, so that the animal is not subjected to unnecessary surgery, confinement or euthanasia.^[1]

In some programs the cat might also be tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and/or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) prior to sterilization, and possibly euthanized if the test is positive. The value of FIV/FeLV testing is the subject of debate among feral cat advocates, with some stating that doing testing is an ineffective use of limited funds that otherwise could be used to sterilize more cats, and others holding the position that it is unethical (and inhumane) to release a cat that is carrying a virus that causes deadly disease and that is transmissible to other cats. The ASPCA guidelines for the sterilization of feral cats recommend not testing as the limited resources would be best applied to population reduction.

After the cat is sterilized and vaccinated, it is placed back in the trap and allowed to recover from surgery. The feral cat is observed and cared for in a controlled location, usually the trap inside the home of the colony manager, with food and water. The colony manager should clean the cage using special cage dividers twice daily for approximately two days of confinement; less time may be needed for confinement of males, more for females or special situations. The cat is subsequently released to the site of capture per ASPCA feral cat guidelines.

Rationale

Supporters of TNR embrace this practice as part of a "no-kill" philosophy. Euthanasia on a massive scale is not fiscally practical. TNR advocates agree that the traditional methods of trapping-and-removing will not work because of a "vacuum effect": As some cats are taken out of their territory, others will move in to replace them, which renders the initial removal ineffective.^[2] If other feral cats are available to do so, the primary factor of whether they will or not is the availability of food: If enough food is present, then any nearby cats may move in.^[3]

Effectiveness

Studies have been conducted to gauge the effectiveness of TNR. Several of them suggest that the procedure works,^[4][5][6][7] A PhD study in North Carolina suggested that although high levels of sterilization could theoretically reduce numbers of cats, in practice they do not because of new immigration by more cats^[8] One peer-reviewed study showed a reduction in numbers of cats with TNR only when 50% of cats were removed for an adoption program ^[9] A study by Castillo(2003)^[10] is further evidence that TNR needs to be adjusted for the intended location.^[11] and a review article by Longcore et al. (2009)^[12] claiming that TNR programs are not effective at reducing populations of feral cats. New Mexico State University researchers published a study indicating that 71–94 % of a population needs to be sterlized for the population to decline assuming there is no immigration The authors argue that populations are not stable and movement of cats is significant between urban areas and nearby woodland They also state that cats can reach high densities when there is a reliable food source without proper sterilization and management.

Effect on wildlife

Main article: Feral cat

The Trap-Neuter-Return approach is controversial. Many wildlife and bird advocacy organizations argue that TNR does nothing to address the possibility that predation by feral cats could threaten endangered species. TNR groups state that the effect of habitat destruction is caused by irresponsible human development and not by feral cat colonies.

Longcore et al. (2009) in their analysis found that feral cats harm wildlife on continents as well as islands and recorded instances of bird extinction from feral cats on islands and harm to wildlife on continents. Longcore et al. argue that fragmented ecosystems near urban areas are similar to islands and more susceptible to feral cat damage, and that feral cats in urban areas also pose significant risk to migratory birds. The authors argue that feral cats are exotic and do not fill an existing niche and that even well-fed cats significantly impact on wildlife. The article details population and comparative studies of the adverse effects of feral and free roaming cats on birds and other wildlife. Although longer and more detailed studies need to be done on this subject. The authors also argue that feral cats act as vectors for diseases that can impact domestic cats, wildlife and humans, examples include feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, fleas and ear mites (which are also carried by canines and wildlife), hookworms, roundworms, Bartonella, Rickettsia, Coxiella and Toxoplasma gondii, and that fecal matter has also been shown to degrade water quality.

See also

• Overpopulation (animals)
• Spaying and neutering

References

1. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". saveacat.org. http://www.saveacat.org/faq.html#9. Retrieved 21 November 2010. 
2. ^ Tabor, Roger (December 8, 1983). The Wild Life of the Domestic Cat. Arrow Books Ltd. pp. 224. ISBN 0099312107. 
3. ^ Tabor, Roger (April 30, 2003). Understanding Cat Behavior. David & Charles. pp. 144. ISBN 0715315897. 
4. ^ Hughes, Kathy L.; Margaret R. Slater (January 2002). "Implementation of a Feral Cat Management Program on a University Campus". Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. doi:10.1207/S15327604JAWS0501_2. http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a783707826~db=all. Retrieved February 14, 2011. 
5. ^ Levy, Julie K.; David W. Gale,​‌ Leslie A. Gale (January 2003). "Evaluation of the effect of a long-term trap-neuter-return and adoption program on a free-roaming cat population". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. doi:10.2460/javma.2003.222.42. http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.2003.222.42?cookieSet=1&journalCode=javma. Retrieved February 14, 2011. 
6. ^ {{Cite web | last = Zaunbrecher | first = KI | coauthors = Smith RE. | title = Neutering of feral cats as an alternative to eradication programs. | work = Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association | date = August 1993 | url = http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez cookieSet=1&journalCode=jaws Implementation of a Feral Cat Management Program on a University Campus]
7. ^ Neutering of feral cats as an alternative to eradication programs.
8. ^ Michael K. Stoskopf and Felicia B. Nutter, "Analyzing approaches to feral cat management-- one size does not fit all," JAVMA, Vol 225, No. 9, November 1, 2004
9. ^ Julie K. Levy, David W. Gale and Leslie A. Gale, "Evaluation of the effect of a long-term trap-neuter-return and adoption program on a free-roaming cat population", JAVMA, Vol 222, No. 1, January 1, 2003 [1]
10. ^ Trap/Neuter/Release Methods Ineffective in Controlling Domestic Cat "Colonies" on Public Lands
11. ^ New Page 2
12. ^ http://cwhrbird.org/documents/Longcore2009.pdf Critical assessment of claims regarding management of feral cats by Trap- Neuter - Return by Travis Longcore, Catherine Rich and Lauren M Sullivan

External links

• Trap Neuter Return, TNR information from Stray Cat Alliance, a nonprofit cat Trap-Neuter-Return organization located in Los Angeles, California
• [2], First Coast No More Homeless Pets, Inc. A Jacksonville, Florida TNR facility that offers free and low-cost spay and neuter programs
• Fixin Feral Felines, Central Illinois T-N-R Group
• Programs at Alley Cat Rescue
• "What is Trap-Neuter-Return", SpayDay page
• Model TNR Ordinances now available from Neighborhood Cats
• The Humane Society of the United States' Position on Trap Neuter Return (TNR)
• ca-r-ma.org, Canadian organization fostering TNR via a system of community based affiliated groups throughout the Maritime Provinces
• What is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)?
• Information on Managed Cat Colonies and TNR
• [3], Evaluation of the effect of a long-term trap-neuter-return and adoption program on a free-roaming cat population
• Humane Animal Traps featuring a line of TNR traps.