The Present Problem That We Face
The Mechanics of of
the BCCI Feral Cat TNR Program
TNR - The Solution
TNR
is the TLC for ferals: TNR and a Working Relationship with Local Health
Departments and Local Municipal Governments is the Solution
Trap-Neuter-Return
(TNR) is an inexpensive, humane and proven-effective alternative to the
harsh and expensive trap-kill approach to feral cat control.
With
TNR, feral cats are humanely trapped by their caregivers or their
representatives and brought to a local medical facility for
examination, rabies vaccination, spay/neuter and id-microchip
injectable insertion. Once treated and recovered these cats are
returned to their original colony location where their caregiver will
continue providing care. Feral cats, treated with TNR, will no longer
reproduce and will no longer represent a risk of transmitting rabies to
humans. Once ferals in a colony are neutered nuisance complaints
significantly decrease as there is no more fighting over females or
mating behavior. Microchips allow the identification of each individual
cat and if picked up by an animal control officer, that suspect cat's
medical (surgical and vaccination) history will be immediately
available. If brought to a shelter the TNR-treated feral can be
reclaimed by its caregiver because it's microchip allows access to
caregiver contact information. TNR represents a win-win-win-win for
feral cats, feral caregivers, local health departments and local
shelters. Feral colonies that have been TNR-treated will:
1. not reproduce and their numbers will decline by natural attrition.
2. become a protective buffer against rabies by virtue of the fact that
they are all rabies vaccinated and protected. These cats will be a
factor in protecting the public health.
3. be much less likely to provoke nuisance complaints after being
surgically sterilized
4. not be a drain on shelter resources as they will be reclaimed by
their caregiver(s)
5. be allowed to live their lives without human interference or threat
of terror and death
6. provide a public service by controlling local rodent populations,
often associated with foodstuff destruction and carriers of disease.
TNR alone, however is not enough to offer a satisfactory solution to
feral cat control. Without a local health department and municipal
government that supports TNR, TNR alone may not be a satisfactory
solution as those practicing TNR may work at cross purposes from
actions of health and government officials. The ideal solution would
envision a local health department that promotes TNR and respects the
right to life of feral cats. In such a situation, feral cats that are
brought to the shelter can be reclaimed. In such a situation government
health officials can help to educate the public to respect the lives of
feral cats and to tolerate them and leave them alone to live their
lives in peace. The ideal solution would also envision local municipal
governments allowing (by ordinance) feral feeding and promoting TNR.
Burlington
County is lucky to have enlightened health department officials willing
to work with BCCI and give our program and TNR a chance to succeed.
BCCI will offer its program and resources only to those Burlington
County municipalities willing to allow TNR and the BCCI program in its
community and be willing to adopt a feral friendly municipal ordinance.
The Mechanics of of the BCCI Feral
Cat TNR Program
