Help feral cats through education and TNR

Arguably, the greatest hurdle to managing the cat overpopulation crisis in New Jersey is the public's noncompliance in spaying and neutering companion cats and allowing them (especially unaltered ones) to roam free. It is these actions, or lack thereof, that provides a constant "supply" of cats, which adds to and increases the burgeoning outdoor cat population.

Until such time as the public finally "gets it" and becomes responsible, there are three options for outdoor cats that a municipality can pursue: ignore them, trap and remove them, or trap, alter and return them to the environment.

As absurd as the first option appears to be, it is sadly the one that many municipalities take. Ignore it and it will go away. Nothing could be further from the truth. Two cats become 20 in no time and the problem just gets bigger and bigger.

The second option, which at first glance may appear to be a solution, is fraught with its own negative aspects. Trap and remove creates a void that will almost always be filled by other cats (as long as we have irresponsible people who don't alter and who abandon).

These unaltered cats will reproduce and the cycle will begin again. There is also the issue of what to do with the removed cats. Not all will be able to be adopted into homes and there are few reputable sanctuaries that take in unsocialized feral cats. Sadly, and most often, the end result is that these cats are killed.

The third option, Trap- Neuter-Return (TNR) is the internationally known, effective and humane method of controlling feral cat populations. It is a full management plan in which stray and feral cats, already living outdoors in cities, towns, and rural areas, are humanely trapped, vaccinated, sterilized by veterinarians and evaluated. Kittens and tame cats are adopted into good homes. Healthy adult cats, unsocialized to humans, are returned to their familiar habitat under the lifelong care of volunteers.

TNR is based on perpetual colony maintenance that helps ensure its success, as caregivers monitor sick cats that they can vet and newcomers that they can alter, vaccinate and adopt out if friendly.

A comprehensive TNR program will result in lower animal control costs, fewer to no births, reduction of nuisance complaints by residents and the alleviation of public health concerns.

The New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance is in agreement with Freehold Health Department representative Margaret Jahn in that the public should not feed outdoor cats unless they belong to a properly managed colony. Township support of TNR along with an aggressive public education program is critical in the effort to stem the cat population crisis in New Jersey.

More information on TNR, including its nuts and bolts and efficacy, can be obtained at www.ProjectTNR.com.

Janine Motta

Project TNR

New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance

Englishtown