Why does TNR work?

Spaying and neutering the cats will end the cycle of homeless kittens being born so the population stabilizes and, over time, reduces naturally. Once the cats are fixed, the problematic behaviours of howling, cat fighting and spraying also subside. TNR is the only humane way to effectively reduce the feral cat population, so that people and cats can peacefully co-exist.

What is an eartip & why do I need to eartip a feral cat?

Ear-tipping is the universal symbol to identify that an outdoor or free-roaming cat has been fixed. This involves clipping off, or “tipping” the upper 1 centimetre of the cat’s left ear so that it’s straight across instead of coming up into a point. This is done while the cat is under anaesthesia and it does not significantly alter the appearance or beauty of the cat. Since feral cats are wild, you cannot always get close enough to them or pick them up to tell if they have been fixed before, so the ear-tip allows you to recognize at a distance whether the cat has been fixed. It is a sign to your neighbours, other trappers and caregivers in the area, veterinarians and vet clinics that the cat has been fixed.

Can’t I just trap the cats around my home and remove them?

Trap and remove does not work. Cats are there in the environment because of two main reasons: 1) there is a food source (intended or not) and 2) there is some sort of shelter. When cats are removed from a location, it creates a “vacuum” effect — meaning the surrounding cats breed rapidly to fill in the gap, plus new cats move in to take advantage of the natural food and shelter. This vacuum effect is well documented. Trapping and removing cats often results in having even more unsterilized cats than when you started.

What happens if I just ignore the cats?

If you ignore the cats, they will continue to breed. Rapidly and prolifically. Cats will start having litters when they’re only five months old. They can have three to four litters a year, usually of five to six kittens per litter. If you just ignore the situation, in a short time you can easily go from three or four cats to 30+. TNR is the only humane, effective solution to control the homeless cat population.

What if the cat I trap is pregnant?

It is safe to spay a cat even if she is in early pregnancy. The vet will advise you and can sometimes end the pregnancy.

This female cat just had kittens. When should I get her spayed?

Please try to wait until the kittens are five weeks old before you trap and bring in the mom. Kittens under five weeks need their mom since they have to nurse every few of hours. They require their mom to be able to keep warm, since they can’t hold in body heat on their own yet. They also need mom to help them go to the bathroom, because they don’t know to go to the bathroom on their own (mom has to lick them to stimulate them to go.) At about five weeks or older, the kittens can survive for a longer period of time.

After mom gets spayed, can she still nurse her kittens?

Yes, the mother cat can still safely nurse her kittens after the spay surgery. She will continue to produce milk and nursing won’t interfere with her ability to heal post-surgery. It is also safe for the kittens to nurse; the milk will be fine. It is safe all around. You’ll just need to keep a close eye on her to make sure she is recovering properly.