The Altered Tails School Program in Low Income Areas

TRAP, NEUTER, RETURN (TNR) - THE BASICS

Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) is the least costly and most effective method of addressing the overpopulation of free-roaming, primarily feral, cats in our communities. The cats are humanely trapped, sterilized, and then returned to their outdoor home where their caregiver continues to provide them with food and water.
If you already understand TNR and are seeking our assistance with free-roaming (feral) cats that you are caring for, Please E-mail us at info@alteredtails.org

No one knows exactly how many free-roaming, primarily feral, cats live in the United States, but the number is estimated in the tens of millions. For more information about free-roaming cats in the United States and what is being done to help nationally visit Alley Cat Allies at www.alleycat.org.

Questions about free-roaming, "stray",or feral cats

What is a Feral Cat?

Feral cats are cats that have not been socialized to humans. When cats are left to fend for themselves, they reproduce litters of kittens that are only socialized to other cats and are afraid of people.

What Happens with TNR?

Trap: Cats are humanely trapped using food as bait.

Neuter: The cats are taken to a veterinarian where they are spayed or neutered. Their left ear is 'tipped' so people will recognize that the cat has been sterilized. (While the cat is under anesthesia 1/4 inch is cut straight across the tip of the cat's left ear so that people can tell at a glance that the cat is sterilized and part of a managed colony.)

Return: The cats are returned to their outdoor home where their caregiver continues to provide them with food and water.

What Are The Alternatives?

Do Nothing: Eventually the problem will reach unmanageable levels and cause untold suffering.

Trap & Kill: Aside from being inhumane, this approach is not a solution. The problem is everywhere. More cats will simply move in to fill the void and start the cycle over again.

Catch & Tame: With the exception of very young kittens, this approach is not realistic. Feral adults cannot be socialized to humans to the point where they are able to find homes as pets. For a small minority that could be tamed, the time and effort that goes into helping just a few cats is prohibitive. Even with very young kittens, taming can take several weeks of intensive socialization work.

Relocation: There is no other place for them to go and studies show that if you remove cats from their original location, others merely move in to take their place. This is known as the vacuum effect.

Why TNR Works

· It humanely stabilizes the free-roaming, primarily feral, cat population.
· It is more effective and less expensive than attempts at extermination.
· It eliminates or reduces objectionable behaviors like spraying, yowling and fighting.
· It is the humane and responsible thing to do.
For more information, please visit our frequently asked questions.

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TNR Flyer
Community Flyer
TNR Brochure
Cruelty Flyer
Self Help Flyer