Pets Info 101: What is TNR?

November 4, 10:24 AMLexington Pets ExaminerJodi Dickey

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Feral cat

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.org

TNR is an acronym for Trap-Neuter-Return. This is a program most often implemented with feral cat colonies consisting of humanely catching feral cats, spaying or neutering each individual, providing medical care when necessary, and returning them to their original location.

Feral cat groups are cat populations that have wandered from their homes, been dumped by their owners, or are kittens born to a feral cat mother. Stray cat is another term used for a feral cat.

TNR is a better option to euthanasia for feral cat populations because typically if the cats are exterminated another group of cats will move into the territory benefiting from the food source. These cats will continue to procreate; thus prolonging the feral cat population. If the cats are spayed/neutered and returned to the area, they will maintain their territory, not reproduce, and eventually the colony will fade away.

The Woodford Humane Society has a quarterly Kitty Cat Roundup, which is a TNR program. For more information, visit the Woodford Humane Society website’s TNR page.