TNRM

Trap, Neuter, Release, and Manage

TNRM is a non-lethal, cost effective, humane solution to controlling and decreasing the feral cat population over time. Undesirable behaviors associated with territorial mating and fighting, such as yowling, spraying, and endless litters of often sick and dying kittens are eliminated when cats are spayed or neutered.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) believes that feral cat overpopulation is a community – generated problem and that every community has a responsibility to work toward a solution.

Feral cats are unsocialized cats that may be one or more generations removed from a home environment and may live in a group (or colony) of similar cats. Feral cats are the result of abandonment by their owners, accidental loss, and failure by owners to sterilize their pets.

The HSUS advocates community-based TNRM programs with on-going responsible management as the most viable, long-term approach available at this time to reduce feral cat populations.

Responsible management of existing feral cat colonies should include: humane trapping, sterilization, rabies vaccination, and treatment for illness or injury; removal of kittens and friendly adults for possible placement in homes; euthanasia of animals whose suffering cannot be alleviated; ear-tipping and returning ferals to the same location where they were trapped provided they would not face imminent risks; and providing lifetime care consisting of adequate food, water, and shelter as well as regular monitoring of the colony for sickness, injury, and the arrival of new animals.

The goal of any feral cat management should be to maximize quality of life for the cats and to eliminate the existing colony over time through attrition.

For a TNRM program to be successful, cooperation among many members of the community is essential. GSR wants to work as part of the solution.

“My Cat Saves Lives! She is spayed.”

More Information