Did you know that stray and feral cats comprise the largest source of animals entering area shelters? Because of their aversion to human contact, these cats are not candidates for adoption, and are ultimately euthanized, because they must compete with better socialized pets turned in by owners. SHELTERS ARE NOT THE PLACE FOR FERAL CATS, but many residents, are unaware of other programs. A popular, growing alternative to the “trap to remove” method of animal control is Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR, where feral and stray cats are trapped, surgically sterilized, and re-released into their original neighborhoods to provide pest control without the fear of reproducing. TNR was introduced to the United States by Alley Cat Allies, a national group that advocates for feral cats. TNR has been proven to stabilize populations, improve cat health, eliminate problem behaviors such as fighting, spraying and howling, and still provides communities such as ours with the rodent and snake control that healthy cat colonies provide. Most importantly, it curbs the tide of animals entering area shelters, where most, lacking space, are euthanized. The method enlists community volunteers in a comprehensive program, costs one-third to one-half as much as trap-and-remove efforts, and is a humane solution. Trap-and-remove endeavors require continuous trapping and killing, is not supported by the community, and is an unending budget expense.
In a city such as New Orleans with a near tropical climate, animals breed year round resulting in an alarming number of unwanted, homeless animals. It is estimated New Orleans has one of the largest feral cat populations in the United States, approahcing 350,000. When you consider two breeding cats and all their offspring produces 420,000 cats in just 7 years, the need for sterilization is apparent. Based on these numbers, SpayMart’s mission has always been to help people get their animals spayed and neutered in an effort to reduce euthanasia rates. The organization quickly realized that success depended upon sterilizing companion animals as well as ferals, and making programs easily available to the public dealing with both populations.
In October 1999 SpayMart launched its first public awareness campaign regarding feral cats entitled “Neuter Scooter”, offering low-cost spaying and neutering for feral and stray cats. It also introduced the community to a humane way of dealing with feral cat colonies, entitled trap-neuter-and-return, as opposed to the conventional method of trap-and-kill which has proven to be ineffective.. Since that first year SpayMart’s Neuter Scooter Campaign has sterilized approximately 8,000 free-roaming feral cats.
The year 2010 marked a decade of Neuter Scooter Campaigns for SpayMart. In an effort to expand services, educate greater numbers and increase sterilizations, the organization partnered with eight local humane societies and five participating veterinarian offices, in an effort to involve the entire community. It is only by working together that we will solve a problem of this magnitude. The campaign ran the entire month of October with approximately 2,500 feral cats sterilized and vaccinated for rabies, for a $10 co-pay to the public. It allowed many feral cat caretakers to sterilize large colonies that would otherwise continue breeding. The goal of Neuter Scooter is to continuously expand its educational and outreach program annually to ultimately involve the entire state of Louisiana. Together we can help people understand how effective the humane solution TNR can be. This campaign is made possible by generous funding from grants, corporate sponsors and personal donations.
To significantly reduce the number of homeless stray cats in our city by providing aggressive spay/neuter programs and making the service available to every segment of our population, regardless of income.
Why Does SpayMart Have a Feral Cat Project?
In a city with a near tropical climate, animals breed year round. This results in an alarming number of stray animals roaming our streets in search of food, trying to survive, but eventually succumbing to disease, starvation, predation, etc. In fact, national experts claim New Orleans has one of the largest per-capita feral cat populations in the nation, with an estimated 250,000 stray cats! Therefore, SpayMart sponsors a non-lethal program to deal with homeless cats in our city called The Feral Cat Project.
What method Do We Use?
The method we promote is referred to as “TNR” (trap, neuter, return). Cats are humanely trapped, tested for disease, vaccinated for rabies, sterilized, ear-tipped (a universal sign of sterilization) and returned to the area from where they came. A colony caretaker is responsible for daily food and water and medical treatment, if necessary. SpayMart networks over 450 feral cat caretakers with the incentive of low cost spay/neuter and a Food Subsidy Program.
How can I be a part of the solution?
If you are aware of a feral cat problem and need help with trapping, neutering and caring for ferals, you can call the hot line at (504)838-9167. Donations, of course, are appreciated and ensure the continued success of this program.
My neighbors are complaining about the cats. What can I do?
Ask your neighbors the specific reason(s) behind their complaints. Often, complaints are easily refuted with the proper information. For example, if a cat is soiling the neighbors’ gardens, place sand in an out-of-the-way area or keep litter boxes at the colony site, keep the litter area clean, and offer repellents. If neighbors voice health concerns, make sure that the cats are up to date with their vaccinations. Keep the cats’ medical records in order and offer to share this information with your neighbors.
Where Do Feral Cats Come From?
Many people erroneously believe that cats can fend for themselves. Cat owners often abandon their cats when they move or simply no longer want the responsibility of pet ownership. Such cats survive only if they find food, shelter, and avoid dangers such as injury from cars, dogs, other cats, or abusive humans. They are rarely spayed or neutered, and their offspring are raised without human contact. Within a few years, one or two cats can produce a colony of twenty or more.
