Trap/Neuter/Return Cats

Objective:  To reduce the number of cat intake at the Conroe Animal Shelter by TNR (trapping, spaying/neutering, and then returning) on free roaming cats in the cities of Conroe and Willis.

How is this funded?  We received funding from the Robbie Jones Animal Welfare Fund to help subsidize the first 200 surgeries.  This sounds like a lot, but it is just a drop in the bucket.  We need continued support from the community.  If you can help with even $5, we’ll use it!

Who is doing this?  Spay/Houston, Adopt A Cat, and Clipped Ear Cat Sanctuary with the support from the Conroe Animal Shelter.  We are looking to the community to help trap, transport, and recover.   Spay/Houston runs a transport service to and from Conroe.  We will be running additional transports to accommodate this program.

Studies:

Study #1:  6 Year Study Sited on Feral Cat Coalition Website

Findings:

• Cats begin reproductive cycles between 4-6.9 months of age or as soon as the days are long enough (January and February are the start of kitten season)
• Cats average 2.1 litters per year of 4.25 kittens
• 42% of the kittens will die by the age of 2 months of natural causes
• Those who live and escape being turned into a shelter live the average lifespan of only 3 years

Conclusions:

• The average stray female will have 5.25 litters in her lifetime (22.3 kittens)
• Approximately 12.9 will survive kittenhood (roughly 6 females and 7 males)
• 1 un-spayed female and her offspring can be expected to result in 3,200 kittens over her lifetime

Study #2:  Stanford University

• TNR Program was started in 1989
• Started with 500 cats
• 60 kittens were found the first year
• 1994 stray cat population went down to 300 and only 4 kittens were found that year

Other Studies have shown

• Cost of TNR is typically between 25-35% less expensive to the tax payers
• Typically takes approximately 5 years to see significant results
• Success helps in communities with a teamwork mentality.  Shelters, the public and rescues need to work together.
• When you remove a free roaming cat from its location, other cats move in to take advantage of food, water and shelter previously guarded by the removed cat
• Rodent and snake populations increase when you remove cats
• Cats can have as many as 4 litters per year here due to the mild climate

Game Plan Basics:

Phase 1
Set up a site in Conroe to train and loan out traps
Set up a tracking system for loaning traps
Educate and train on TNR

Phase 2
TNR 100 Cats during regular business hours (up to 10 per day) during January and possibly February

Phase 3
Coordinate a TNR Day at Spay/Houston on 2/5/12 to perform 60 to 100 surgeries

WOW!  THAT'S A LOT OF WORK!

Volunteers Needed!  OK, YOU KNEW THAT WAS COMING...
Trappers
After Care
Transporters

Donations Needed!
Sponsors

Traps

Newspaper and Cardboard

Zip Ties

Plastic Spoons

Sheets and Towels

Stinky Smellin’ Food – Sardines, Tuna, Canned Cat Food

Masking Tape

Markers

Cages