We believe that spay/neuter, education, and advocacy are the best tools to combat the cat overpopulation crisis. Johnson County Community Cat: Trap-Neuter-Return Program
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the most humane and effective approach for controlling the feral cat population. Through TNR programs, community cats are humanely trapped and spayed/neutered. Cats are also given a rabies vaccination and ear-tip (clipping of the left ear under anesthesia as a signal that the cat is sterilized). They are then returned to their original territory where caretakers provide them with regular food, water and shelter. There is a difference between stray cats and feral cats. A stray cat is a domestic cat that has been abandoned or has ‘strayed’ from home and become lost. Stray cats were once pets or have had human contact and they can usually be successfully rescued and placed in homes. Meanwhile, feral cats are cats whom people typically can’t touch. They are not socialized to people and not candidates for adoption into people’s homes. Although some feral cats can tolerate mild human interaction, most are too fearful and unsocialized to be handled. They are quiet and keep their distance from humans. Feral cats usually live outdoors in groups known as feral colonies. We know that many people feed and care for feral cat colonies throughout Johnson County, and they are fearful that the cats will be trapped and euthanized. Consequently, the cats, although cared for, continue to reproduce, thus driving up the population of homeless animals. Colonies whose populations spiral out of control are also likely to cause concern from neighbors. It is best for everyone involved that the colony be stabilized as quickly as possible. With this said, our Community Cat (TNR) program is available for all Johnson County residents who are willing to take responsibility for their feral cat colony. They must sign an agreement that they will provide shelter, food and water for the colony after they are spayed or neutered. The cats will be returned back into their natural habitat. This program has been set up to reduce the Johnson County feral cat population and the burden on JCAC & HSJC of the large number of cats and kittens received on a daily basis. Outside of our TNR program, we do not take feral cats, we do not trap them to euthanize them, and we will return them to their natural habitat. This program is set up to help reduce the feral cat population and we will not trap feral cats to remove them from their homes for human convenience.
