Community Cat Management
Trap – Neuter – Return
Spaying and neutering neighborhood stray and feral cats has helped to reduce the number of cats taken to municipal shelters throughout the country. Often referred to as trap-neuter-return or TNR, these programs work. The proof comes from the decline of both the number of cats euthanized by municipal shelters and by the number of dead cats that are picked up by animal control agencies.A Humane Approach to Reducing the Cat Population
The numbers reported by private and municipal animal shelters in Alameda County over the past five years support the national trend. While we are far from being a “no-kill” nation when it comes to surplus pets, we are slowly moving in the right direction. Too many cats (and dogs) are still dying in our local shelters because the surplus is higher than the demand. Feral cats comprise more than half of all intakes and euthanasia in our animal control facilities. We now know that the traditional, decades-old practice of attempting to eradicate feral and stray cats is completely ineffective in reducing their numbers in the long-term and that is the reason that ICRA practices and supports TNR.
TNR is a humane approach to reducing the feral and stray cat population. Kittens and tame (stray) cats are socialized and adopted into homes. Healthy adult cats too wild (feral) to be adopted are returned to their familiar habitat.
Community Cat Basics
- Alley Cat Allies: Talking About Cats
- Alley Cat Allies: About Feral Cats
- Alley Cat Allies: TNR Studies
- Stray vs. Feral
Trapping Guidelines
- ICRA’s Trapping Instructions
- Alley Cat Allies: How to Help Community Cats: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trap-Neuter Return
- Alley Cat Allies: Cómo Ayudar a Los Gatos Comunitarios
Recommended Traps
- Tomahawk 605NC (our favorite)
- Tru-Catch Light Duty Trap
Spay/Neuter
- Spay/Neuter Aftercare
- Spay/Neuter Aftercare (PDF for printing)
Making Feral Cats Welcome in Your Community
- Allie Cat Allies: Top TNR Talking Points
- Allie Cat Allies: How to Live with Feral Cats in Your Neighborhood
- Alley Cat Allies: Colony Care Guide
