Post TNRing

This Saturday some volunteers and I are going to trap as many cats as we can in the feral colony I've been feeding for several months. Sunday we will get them sterilized, vaccinated for rabies, etc., eartipped. The cats will remain in their traps in a warm, safe location Sunday night. Monday the cats will be returned to the location where I feed them. Several of the cats were obviously owned by a (in)human recently or several months ago. Among the eight or nine in the feral colony are three kittens, roughly six months old. I can pet some of the cats when they are feeding; all of them recognize my car; I can sit down with them when they eat; and some of them roll on their sides when they see me. Any sudden noises, they flee but return quickly.
So, now my question: what changes in behavior might occur after they are successful TNRd. Will they forever flee when they see me, revert back to their more feral natures, returning to their more accepting natures in a few days/weeks? Anything else (behavioral, health?) I should be look out for? (I live in a condominium complex, if that makes a difference.) Thanks. PS: wish us luck!

I wish you lots of luck and sending trapping vibes your way!!


Every cat is different. You might see some get more friendly with you over time, but the ones that do so are more likely to be the ones that have lived with humans before and are used to your presence. I've cared for some that remained feral in spite of the speuter, although they didn't run away as fast or as far the longer I cared for them. There are a few that I brought inside to socialize as adults, and some of those became snuggly lap cats and others remained distant even inside the house.

And always remember. Even cats born to a "normal" cat and socialized with humans all their lives can be scaredy cats.

About returning them after one day. We are of course talking about females, the males are seldom a problem here. It works usually OK with semiferales/ferales. They are survivors made of tough wood. Semiferales not of tough wood are no long around, they dont become semiferales, they become dead...
So, no 100% safety but may be tried if you must.

But some of these homeless you say are recent homeless, only several month. They are not proven survivors yet - they had not yet survived their first winter for example, I presume.
So my recommendation is - try to have at least these recent homeless at least some day extra, if at all possible.

I beg you.


Tx for your work and good luck!


ps as to your question about eventual behavior changes.
Most will tend te be easier to be with.

The time is here! SUCH a wonderful thing you're doing!!!!!

As the others have said, it really depends upon the cat. We've only had one out of... dozens and dozens - bolt, never to be seen again. Some we see at the evening feeding after being released that afternoon - others not for a few days. We just spayed a female and I think it's been at least a week since we released her - but thankfully she's back as of today (and looking great!).

for trapping success!!!!

Two of my TNRs disappeared for a few days but they returned. They were skittish for a while but wanted food. One became so friendly I took her inside and socialized her. She's now my third cat.
The TNRed alpha cat was still the alpha cat.

How'd it go yesterday?

Thanks for asking. We trapped nine cats, seven of whom were regulars of the feral colony. Another was a cat I'd never seen before but probably related to one of the kittens (all black,including paws). The other was a tom cat ("Munchin"), mean cuss, who I've seen off and on for about two years, but this was the first time he "stopped by". Unfortunately Munchin escaped from the Have a Hart trap at the animal hospital where he was to be neutered. The people there will set out traps for him and, if successful, will neuter and return him to me. The area is relatively safe for cats.
All the cats were male except one female kitten, all are recuperating nicely, and a few are starting to express their displeasure at being locked up for yet another night. I will release them early tomorrow (Monday) morning, with food already set out for their partaking.
The only cat we didn't trap (my favorite of course) eluded the trap all night and early morning. She ate from the trap but the trap didn't spring. "Becky" is probably a "she" (her sibling is male (TNRd)). I will attempt to trap her off and on in the next few weeks. Based on her behavior, she was recently someone's pet.

Congratulations! That is terrific!

I am REALLY sorry about Munchkin. they're able to trap him.

And more trapping vibes for Becky. !!!!!