Kitteh Kats

TNR - What’s it all about?

TNR is a bit controversial right now, largely because it is misunderstood.  TNR stands for Trap, Neuter, Release (sometimes read as replace) and it is probably the only real solution to the problem of feral or stray cats today. 

My recent post about Ugly the Cat got a lot of emotional response, but did you know that there are over 70 million feral and stray cats in the US today, many of them targets of human cruelty, others just scared and hungry.  That number doesn’t include the five to seven million currently in shelters, of which 3 to 4 million will be euthanized every year.  70 percent of cats that enter shelters, and disproportionately black cats put down.

The issue with feral cats becomes quite heated when wildlife and especially wild bird lovers and organizations argue that the rising cat population negatively impacts the animal populations they so love.  Most of these groups advocate wiping out feral and stray cat populations.  Why should these cats have any less right to live than other wild animals, which is what they are.

Make no mistake, feral cats exist because we love cats and want them in our homes and on our laps.  If it weren’t for the pet trade, and our need for companions, feral cats would likely not exist.  We did this, by not spaying and neutering our cats.  And, while they are wild animals, as members of the domestic cat species (just like pet cats), they are protected under state anti-cruelty laws.

From Alley Cat Allies:

Outdoor cats have existed alongside humans for 10,000 years.
They are not a new phenomenon. Feral and stray cats live and thrive in every landscape, from the inner city to rural farmland.

Feral cats are not socialized to people.
And therefore, they are not adoptable. Feral cats don’t belong indoors and are typically wary of us. However, as members of the domestic cat species (just like pet cats), they are protected under state anti-cruelty laws.

Feral cats should not be taken to pounds and shelters.
Feral cats’ needs are not met by the current animal control and shelter system, where animals who are not adoptable are killed. Feral cats live full, healthy lives outdoors—but are killed in shelters. Even no-kill shelters can’t place feral cats in homes.   Learn more about the reality of Feral Cats.

TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) is the only real answer to dealing with this problem.  People use live animal traps baited with food, catch the feral cats then have them neutered, and finally release them back to where they were caught, allowing them to live their lives unharmed, and as happy as possible, but effectively stopping the cycle, and the growth of the problem right there, with no cruelty.

Feral Cat Coalition:

Is spay/neuter/release working? Statistics from the San Diego Department of Animal Control as of June 30, 1997 show that while the number of cats adopted or claimed by owners has remained fairly constant over the years, there has been a decrease of almost 50% in the number of cats impounded and killed, compared with 1992 (when the FCC clinics started). Before the FCC was formed, the number of cats impounded and killed had been going up 15% per year!

Catch and kill doesn’t work.
Animal control’s traditional approach for feral cats— catching and killing—is endless and cruel. Cats choose to reside in locations for two reasons: there is a food source (intended or not) and shelter. When cats are removed from a location, new cats move in or survivors breed to capacity. This vacuum-effect is well-documented.

But TNR will remove thousands of potential cats from the cycle, each of which would then have thousands of their own, and it does it without cruelty.  Those who argue that these cats once released will continue to “decimate” wild bird populations should consider what damage all of the non-nuetered cat’s offspring would surly do.

TNR is promoted by the ASPCA as a humane and more effective alternative to euthanasia for managing and reducing feral cat populations as per APSCA NYCFCI feral cat sterilization guidelines.

sources: National Geographic

              Wikipedia.org

              Alley Cat Allies

              Feral Cat Coalition

The Story of “Ugly” the Cat

(Warning: this is a very sad story!)

Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was.  Ugly was the resident tomcat.  Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love.

The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly.

To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole.  He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot has appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner.

His tail has long since been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch.  Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs.  Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. “That’s one UGLY cat!!”

All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave.  Ugly always had the same reaction.  If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit.  If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness.  Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love.  If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.

One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbors huskies.  They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled.  From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid.  By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly’s sad life was almost at an end.

Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front.  As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling.  I must be hurting him terribly I thought.  Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear- Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear.  I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring.  Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled-scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion.

At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen.  Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way.  Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.

Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly.  Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful.

He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply.  To give my total to those I cared for.

Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.

Author Unknown

(Source: kittehkats)

The Story of “Ugly” the Cat

(Warning: this is a very sad story!)

Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was.  Ugly was the resident tomcat.  Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love.

The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly.

To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole.  He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot has appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner.

His tail has long since been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch.  Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs.  Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. “That’s one UGLY cat!!”

All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave.  Ugly always had the same reaction.  If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit.  If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness.  Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love.  If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.

One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbors huskies.  They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled.  From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid.  By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly’s sad life was almost at an end.

Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front.  As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling.  I must be hurting him terribly I thought.  Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear- Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear.  I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring.  Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled-scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion.

At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen.  Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way.  Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.

Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly.  Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful.

He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply.  To give my total to those I cared for.

Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.

Author Unknown