Feral Cats Trap-Neuter-Return Programs

I move to a place several years ago - feral cats started to appear, I started to feed them along with my chickens.

So, I decided to tap into the Trap-Neuter-Return Program that was available locally - discount certificate for TNR program with local vets participating.

But now, local vets aren't participating so trapped cats need to be periodically transported to an out of country location - so, traps cats need to be maintained for days until the Van is ready to transport - not convenient at any level.  This program is run by a local cat group - they are do the best they can.

Has anyone been faced with this type of local experience? The County and City are doing nothing locally other then the shelter scenario with feral cats euthanized. 

We have no local clinics, no vet participation - with a lot of people willing to go through a reasonably hassle free TNR program - lots of feral cats around.

vegan2 said:

with a lot of people willing to go through a reasonably hassle free TNR program

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If there is a lot of people interested, you could perhaps together make a pressure on the City council?    One crazy cat lady isnt much influence, nor even several crazy ladies working one and one,  but a group of concerned citizens in someting much stronger...   Try to get other too to  support you.  They dont even do much actual work, if they dont want to. It may be enough they lend their signature and voice to your petitions...

Also, a tip.   A homeless, shy cat is used to hide in a hole even two days if necessary.  Probably even three, but its streching it.

Compare if you get a shy cat home. It doesnt even be a rescued ferale, it may be a home raised, bought shy cat.

Quite often it hides somewhere in a hidey under some furniture, even two fully days.  Without eating, drinking, relieving itself...

So, you can have the captured ferales in the trap up till two days if necessary, without having a too bad conscience.  As long as you are safe the vet is coming latest on day three.    Its NOT ideal, far from it.  But if you must, so you must, if it solves the problem itself.

Good luck!

We had a similar situation here, although it has improved somewhat. If you have a regular vet, might you talk to him/her about the situation and ask what the problem is? My own vet stepped away from the TNR program here after several years participation because the program organizers started dictating to him. He felt it wasn't worth the hassle.

The program felt he should absorb extras, like antibiotics and he felt they should do so - or at least help. The cat owners were usually caught in the middle, which was silly and which was not helping anyone.

We worked together and he did start to participate again, although he has very strict criteria and the program usually steers people to other vets. But he's participating, at least.

Our county does nothing with TNR, although luckily, our town has an ordinance and a very successful coordinator. It is sad more people don't get what a difference a coordinated effort makes.

Good luck with your situation. It is so much easier when you have help. Thank you for hanging in there and helping the kitties.

Thanks for the input.

As I stated, we went through the 'program' months ago - paid extra to the 'cat people' that run the program, but the local vets were not pleased with the volume of discounted feral cat services. We live in the county and it doesn't appear that the County is involved at all. 

We now have around 7 kittens and around 8 adult cats - they don't actually live here, but come around for food each morning and late evening. It's becoming overwhelming.

There really seems like no answer for one citizen.

If you go to www.alleycat.org, they have a Feral Friends Network that may help you locate help. There may be organizations in your area other than the one you worked with. Good luck!