A TNR Colony Member Displaying Its Clipped Left Ear
Mr. Tommy Morson was quoted in today's TimesDaily concerning TNR programs. Just what is TNR? The initials stand for Trap-Neuter-Return, the "R" sometimes standing for release. Is there a difference? Very little. The neutered cats are almost always returned to the location of their capture. They are only relocated in a new area if their previous territory is no longer habitable for some reason.
Do such programs work? You Betcha! They decrease breeding, disease, fatalities, and the influx of new feral cats. Are there drawbacks? The only opposition to TNR programs come from the "birder" crowd. Do these cats ever kill birds? Unfortunately, the answer is yes, but...
A mother cat is twice as likely to kill prey as a spayed female. So what does the opposition want? Apparently they want all feral cats rounded up and euthanized. I assume you, the readers of this blog, don't want that or you wouldn't be reading to start with.
So what about what Mr. Morson said? Unfortunately, he mentioned the possibility of such cats starving. No cats are released to be totally on their own. Each colony has at least one person who regularly supplies food and water. I am the "mother" to one such colony, feeding seven to nine cats every day. All these cats have come from one grand dam, Callie, who has yet to be trapped, but keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer.
What can you do to help? Please contact PAWS concerning a donation to their TNR program. Also, watch for a new program that will help with transportation costs to locate cats to the Northeast where there is a waiting list.
