Neuter (or spay): Take the cats in their traps to a veterinarian or clinic to be neutered, vaccinated, and eartipped (the universal symbol of a neutered and vaccinated cat. A colony is a group of cats living outdoors together.Ģ. Trap: Humanely trap all the cats in a colony. Here are the three basic steps to this lifesaving process:ġ. Trap-Neuter-Return is the only humane and effective approach to community cat populations. TNR is supported by all credible animal protection organizations including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA), as well as hundreds of TNR groups nationwide, and the countless individuals who carry out grassroots TNR programs. It’s considered best practice and is good public policy. TNR is practiced across the United States and all over the world.
It also stops the behaviors and stresses associated with mating such as yowling, spraying, and fighting. TNR ensures no new kittens are born, stabilizes cat populations, provides vaccines, and improves cats’ lives. The best way you can help community cats is through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). The difference is that community cats are unowned and generally not socialized to people, so they cannot be adopted. You may also hear them called feral cats, though not all unowned, outdoor cats are feral.Ĭommunity cats are domestic cats-the same species as pet cats, Felis Catus. The millions of cats who make their homes outdoors are called community cats. Like them, you’ve discovered cats in your community, and you want to help them. People all over the country, from all walks of life, care for outdoor cats every day. TNR is the humane, effective approach to outdoor cat populations.