07/22/2026
WHAT IS TNR?
Lots of questions are circulating about TNR right now, so we are posting information about the TNR program that we administer.
First, let’s define the name: T is for trap.
Cats are located and the surrounding area surveiled (mainly at businesses), to ascertain the true status of the cats living in the colony. Once identified, the animals are trapped and taken for treatment and surgery. At no time are tame pets taken unless they have no identification. No cats with collars, tags, bells, or other outerwear are even sent to the clinic. They are released from the trap on the spot. None that are scanned by the clinic and found to have a chip are treated without first being in touch with the owner. If your cat roams, it is wise to have some identifier on them or in them! We do not recommend collars due the danger they present (risk of cat getting hung or caught on something).
N is for neuter…
and in this case designates alteration, whether it is a neuter or a spay.
R is for RETURN! Not release!!!
And there is most certainly a humane difference. Just as it can be a death sentence to release a wild animal into an environment with which it is unfamiliar, the same holds true for feral or community cats. Unless the animal is RETURNED to the environment in which it was caught, it MAY not be able to adapt well enough and quickly enough to survive a new one. There are many factors considered in this critical step of TNR, but each of them (food sources, social order, shelter, etc.) are of utmost importance to the survival of the animal post surgery and treatment. To ignore these factors is inhumane.
There are exceptions to returning the animal, but they are just that, exceptional, and many factors must be considered and solutions found to ensure the survival of the animals, most of which require intense efforts that most are unwilling or unable to provide.
The TNR program that we administer provides a comprehensive health plan that ensures, as best we can, the future health of the cats that live without daily human supervision…those that have been trapped as well as those with which they may come in contact. Feral or community cat colonies that have caregivers are the ideal for these unfortunate, and mostly unsocialized animals.
All cats served by our program are tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Neither of these diseases has a cure, meaning both are deadly. And death from these diseases does not come quickly or mercifully. Infected animals living in feral and community cat colonies and circumstances suffer for indefinite periods of time because nobody sees them, and therefore nobody can get them veterinary help when needed. For this reason, and to prevent the spread of these diseases to healthy cats, those testing positive for either of these dreadful diseases are not returned after testing, but saved from tortuous deaths by humane euthanasia.
Not only do our bylaws state our purpose of preventing suffering among animals, but common sense dictates that an animal welfare organization do just that. And so AWA stands firmly behind our protocol because we have SEEN the misery and death that the measures we use prevent.
Our program treats all cats that test negative for the above diseases with a deworming, rabies vaccine, distemper vaccine, as well as flea and ear mite prevention, and an ear tip (to make them easily recognizable as altered without the stress of handling). If any other health issues are present and treatable, they are addressed as well. Cats are “recovered” before returning to be sure they are on sound footing before facing the hardships of surviving in the colonies.
Funding and volunteers are the only limiting factors to our program. As funding allows, we continue to serve the animals AND the public with TNR.
