Trap-Neuter-Return
Encyclopedia
Trap-Neuter-Return also known as Trap-Test-Vaccinate-Alter-Release (TTVAR) is a method of humanely trapping unaltered feral cats, spaying or neutering them, and releasing them back to the same location where they were collected. 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. This procedure has been proven to work by stopping the birth of new cats in the colony and letting the colony members live out their lifespan, approx 6yrs for outdoor cats, with their own group. Generally a colony will have no more than twelve adult cats at any one time. If there are more than that number the colony will discourage newcomers and some of the current members may look for other food sources, neighboring houses etc that have food to offer. Feral cats have many advantages as pest control for people that own acreage and/or have a farm environment. Feral cats are generally excellent hunters yet large part of the feral cats diet is actually insects.
Opponents claim that the procedure has negative impacts on wildlife and contend that the program poses health risks to local communities when not properly maintained.
Trap-Neuter-Return begins with the trapping of feral cats using humane cage traps. The captured feral cat
s are taken (in the trap) to a TNR spay/neuter location usually run by the local animal control services or animal charity facility where they are sterilized by the neutering of males and spaying of females for a nominal fee. Typical TNR programs also involve providing the cats vaccination
s against certain disease
s like rabies
, feline panleukopenia
, herpes
, and calicivirus
. The rabies vaccine is usually automatically included, while the other vaccines are optional. Finally the cat is marked by "ear tipping", cropping 1/4 inch (6 mm) off of the tip of the left ear, so that it can be easily recognized as having been sterilized and as a member of a managed colony, so that the animal is not subjected to unnecessary surgery, confinement or euthanasia.
In some programs the cat might also be tested for feline leukemia virus
(FeLV) and/or feline immunodeficiency virus
(FIV) prior to sterilization, and possibly euthanized
if the test is positive. The value of FIV/FeLV testing is the subject of debate among feral cat advocates, with some stating that doing testing is an ineffective use of limited funds that otherwise could be used to sterilize more cats, and others holding the position that it is unethical (and inhumane) to release a cat that is carrying a virus that causes deadly disease and that is transmissible to other cats. The ASPCA guidelines for the sterilization of feral cats recommend not testing as the limited resources would be best applied to population reduction.
After the cat is sterilized and vaccinated, it is placed back in the trap and allowed to recover from surgery
. The feral cat is observed and cared for in a controlled location, usually the trap inside the home of the colony manager, with food and water. The colony manager should clean the cage using special cage dividers twice daily for approximately two days of confinement; less time may be needed for confinement of males, more for females or special situations. The cat is subsequently released to the site of capture per ASPCA feral cat guidelines.
A study by Castillo(2003) is further evidence that TNR needs to be adjusted for the intended location. and a review article by Longcore et al. (2009) claiming that TNR programs are not effective at reducing populations of feral cats. New Mexico State University researchers published a study indicating that 71–94 % of a population needs to be sterlized for the population to decline assuming there is no immigration The authors argue that populations are not stable and movement of cats is significant between urban areas and nearby woodland They also state that cats can reach high densities when there is a reliable food source without proper sterilization and management.
Longcore et al. (2009) in their analysis found that feral cats harm wildlife on continents as well as islands and recorded instances of bird extinction from feral cats on islands and harm to wildlife on continents. Longcore et al. argue that fragmented ecosystems near urban areas are similar to islands and more susceptible to feral cat damage, and that feral cats in urban areas also pose significant risk to migratory birds. The authors argue that feral cats are exotic and do not fill an existing niche and that even well-fed cats significantly impact on wildlife. The article details population and comparative studies of the adverse effects of feral and free roaming cats on birds and other wildlife. Although longer and more detailed studies need to be done on this subject. The authors also argue that feral cats act as vectors for diseases that can impact domestic cats, wildlife and humans, examples include feline leukemia virus
, feline immunodeficiency virus
, fleas and ear mite
s (which are also carried by canines and wildlife), hookworm
s, roundworms, Bartonella
, Rickettsia
, Coxiella
and Toxoplasma gondii
, and that fecal matter has also been shown to degrade water quality.
Opponents claim that the procedure has negative impacts on wildlife and contend that the program poses health risks to local communities when not properly maintained.
Methodology
Feral cat
A feral cat is a descendant of a domesticated cat that has returned to the wild. It is distinguished from a stray cat, which is a pet cat that has been lost or abandoned, while feral cats are born in the wild; the offspring of a stray cat can be considered feral if born in the wild.In many parts of...
s are taken (in the trap) to a TNR spay/neuter location usually run by the local animal control services or animal charity facility where they are sterilized by the neutering of males and spaying of females for a nominal fee. Typical TNR programs also involve providing the cats vaccination
Feline vaccination
Feline vaccination is the administration of antigenic material in cats to produce immunity to a feline disease. Vaccines can prevent or ameliorate the effects of infection by a pathogen. Currently, there are geographically defined core vaccines and individually chosen non-core vaccine...
s against certain disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
s like rabies
Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute encephalitis in warm-blooded animals. It is zoonotic , most commonly by a bite from an infected animal. For a human, rabies is almost invariably fatal if post-exposure prophylaxis is not administered prior to the onset of severe symptoms...
, feline panleukopenia
Feline panleukopenia
Feline panleukopenia virus , also known as Feline infectious enteritis, Feline distemper, feline ataxia, or cat plague, is a viral infection affecting cats, both domesticated and wild feline species. It is caused by feline parvovirus, a close relative of both type 2 canine parvovirus and mink...
, herpes
Feline viral rhinotracheitis
Feline viral rhinotracheitis is an upper respiratory infection of cats caused by feline herpesvirus 1, of the family Herpesviridae. It is also known as feline influenza and feline coryza. Viral respiratory diseases in cats can be serious, especially in catteries and kennels...
, and calicivirus
Feline calicivirus
Feline calicivirus is a virus of the family Caliciviridae that causes disease in cats. It is one of the two important viral causes of respiratory infection in cats, the other being feline herpesvirus. FCV can be isolated from about 50 percent of cats with upper respiratory infection...
. The rabies vaccine is usually automatically included, while the other vaccines are optional. Finally the cat is marked by "ear tipping", cropping 1/4 inch (6 mm) off of the tip of the left ear, so that it can be easily recognized as having been sterilized and as a member of a managed colony, so that the animal is not subjected to unnecessary surgery, confinement or euthanasia.
In some programs the cat might also be tested for feline leukemia virus
Feline leukemia virus
Feline leukemia virus is a retrovirus that infects cats. FeLV can be transmitted between infected cats when the transfer of saliva or nasal secretions is involved. If not defeated by the animal’s immune system, the virus can be lethal...
(FeLV) and/or feline immunodeficiency virus
Feline immunodeficiency virus
Feline immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that affects domesticated housecats worldwide and is the causative agent of feline AIDS. From 2.5% up to 4.4% of cats worldwide are infected with FIV...
(FIV) prior to sterilization, and possibly euthanized
Animal euthanasia
Animal euthanasia is the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, an animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition. Euthanasia methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress...
if the test is positive. The value of FIV/FeLV testing is the subject of debate among feral cat advocates, with some stating that doing testing is an ineffective use of limited funds that otherwise could be used to sterilize more cats, and others holding the position that it is unethical (and inhumane) to release a cat that is carrying a virus that causes deadly disease and that is transmissible to other cats. The ASPCA guidelines for the sterilization of feral cats recommend not testing as the limited resources would be best applied to population reduction.
After the cat is sterilized and vaccinated, it is placed back in the trap and allowed to recover from surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
. The feral cat is observed and cared for in a controlled location, usually the trap inside the home of the colony manager, with food and water. The colony manager should clean the cage using special cage dividers twice daily for approximately two days of confinement; less time may be needed for confinement of males, more for females or special situations. The cat is subsequently released to the site of capture per ASPCA feral cat guidelines.
Rationale
Supporters of TNR embrace this practice as part of a "no-kill" philosophy. Euthanasia on a massive scale is not fiscally practical. TNR advocates agree that the traditional methods of trapping-and-removing will not work because of a "vacuum effect": As some cats are taken out of their territory, others will move in to replace them, which renders the initial removal ineffective. However, there is little to no scientific evidence to support this claim. If other feral cats are available to do so, the primary factor of whether they will or not is the availability of food: If enough food is present, then any nearby cats may move in.Effectiveness
Studies have been conducted to gauge the effectiveness of TNR. Several of them suggest that the procedure works, A PhD study in North Carolina suggested that although high levels of sterilization could theoretically reduce numbers of cats, in practice they do not because of new immigration by more cats One peer-reviewed study showed a reduction in numbers of cats with TNR only when 50% of cats were removed for an adoption programA study by Castillo(2003) is further evidence that TNR needs to be adjusted for the intended location. and a review article by Longcore et al. (2009) claiming that TNR programs are not effective at reducing populations of feral cats. New Mexico State University researchers published a study indicating that 71–94 % of a population needs to be sterlized for the population to decline assuming there is no immigration The authors argue that populations are not stable and movement of cats is significant between urban areas and nearby woodland They also state that cats can reach high densities when there is a reliable food source without proper sterilization and management.
Effect on wildlife
The Trap-Neuter-Return approach is controversial. Many wildlife and bird advocacy organizations argue that TNR does nothing to address the possibility that predation by feral cats could threaten endangered species. TNR groups state that the effect of habitat destruction is caused by irresponsible human development and not by feral cat colonies.Longcore et al. (2009) in their analysis found that feral cats harm wildlife on continents as well as islands and recorded instances of bird extinction from feral cats on islands and harm to wildlife on continents. Longcore et al. argue that fragmented ecosystems near urban areas are similar to islands and more susceptible to feral cat damage, and that feral cats in urban areas also pose significant risk to migratory birds. The authors argue that feral cats are exotic and do not fill an existing niche and that even well-fed cats significantly impact on wildlife. The article details population and comparative studies of the adverse effects of feral and free roaming cats on birds and other wildlife. Although longer and more detailed studies need to be done on this subject. The authors also argue that feral cats act as vectors for diseases that can impact domestic cats, wildlife and humans, examples include feline leukemia virus
Feline leukemia virus
Feline leukemia virus is a retrovirus that infects cats. FeLV can be transmitted between infected cats when the transfer of saliva or nasal secretions is involved. If not defeated by the animal’s immune system, the virus can be lethal...
, feline immunodeficiency virus
Feline immunodeficiency virus
Feline immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that affects domesticated housecats worldwide and is the causative agent of feline AIDS. From 2.5% up to 4.4% of cats worldwide are infected with FIV...
, fleas and ear mite
Ear mite
Ear mites are mites that live in the ears of animals. The most commonly seen species is Otodectes cynotis .-Contagion:...
s (which are also carried by canines and wildlife), hookworm
Hookworm
The hookworm is a parasitic nematode that lives in the small intestine of its host, which may be a mammal such as a dog, cat, or human. Two species of hookworms commonly infect humans, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. A. duodenale predominates in the Middle East, North Africa, India...
s, roundworms, Bartonella
Bartonella
Bartonella is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria. Facultative intracellular parasites, Bartonella species can infect healthy people but are considered especially important as opportunistic pathogens. Bartonella are transmitted by insect vectors such as ticks, fleas, sand flies and mosquitoes...
, Rickettsia
Rickettsia
Rickettsia is a genus of non-motile, Gram-negative, non-sporeforming, highly pleomorphic bacteria that can present as cocci , rods or thread-like . Being obligate intracellular parasites, the Rickettsia survival depends on entry, growth, and replication within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic host cells...
, Coxiella
Coxiella
Coxiella refers to a genus of Gram-negative bacteria in the family Coxiellaceae. It is named after Harold Herald Rea Cox , an American bacteriologist. Coxiella burnetii is the only member of this genus...
and Toxoplasma gondii
Toxoplasma gondii
Toxoplasma gondii is a species of parasitic protozoa in the genus Toxoplasma. The definitive host of T. gondii is the cat, but the parasite can be carried by many warm-blooded animals . Toxoplasmosis, the disease of which T...
, and that fecal matter has also been shown to degrade water quality.
External links
- Trap Neuter Return, TNR information from Stray Cat Alliance, a nonprofit cat Trap-Neuter-Return organization located in Los Angeles, California
- http://www.fcnmhp.org, First Coast No More Homeless Pets, Inc. A Jacksonville, Florida TNR facility that offers free and low-cost spay and neuter programs
- Fixin Feral Felines, Central Illinois T-N-R Group
- Programs at Alley Cat RescueAlley Cat RescueAlley Cat Rescue is an organization founded by Louise Holton in Mount Rainier, Maryland that helps to protect and save cats through rescue, rehabilitation and adoption. The organization participates in Luv A Pet, which provides adoptions through PetSmart stores, and offers a low-cost spay and...
- "What is Trap-Neuter-Return", SpayDay page
- Model TNR Ordinances now available from Neighborhood Cats
- The Humane Society of the United States' Position on Trap Neuter Return (TNR)
- ca-r-ma.org, Canadian organization fostering TNR via a system of community based affiliated groups throughout the Maritime Provinces
- What is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)?
- Information on Managed Cat Colonies and TNR
- http://www.avma.org/avmacollections/feral_cats/default.asp, Evaluation of the effect of a long-term trap-neuter-return and adoption program on a free-roaming cat population
- Humane Animal Traps featuring a line of TNR traps.