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Sep 14, 2007
Feral Cats, Birds, and TNS
I recently had an email from a reader wondering why the debates over what to do about feral cats talk about eradication versus trap, neuter, release (TNR) but never seem to include discussion of trap, neuter, secure, or TNS, programs. In TNS, feral cats are caught, neutered, given necessary veterinary care, and then placed in a compound from which they cannot escape. The idea intrigued me and I had to admit I wasn’t familiar with any TNS programs.
Trap neuter secure seems like a good compromise between those who argue that feral cats have a right to live, and those that have zero tolerance for feral cats because of they kill many birds and other animals. But is anyone doing it? If you Google “trap, neuter, secure feral cats,” you get about 44,000 hits, all apparently about trap, neuter release programs. There isn’t any information there about TNS.
I can imagine that arguments against TNS would include that it is prohibitively expensive and that it doesn’t prevent the “bath tub effect.” (Proponents of TNR argue that when all the feral cats are removed from an area, it quickly becomes recolonized by cats from outside the area and the population soon rises to its former level—like flooding an empty bathtub that is surrounded by rising water.) Trap, neuter, secure would require long term commitment from community volunteers and ongoing funding.
Does anyone know of a TNS program for feral cats? Please start a discussion and tell us about it.
Comments
Jan 22, 2009 10:56 AM
Guest :
Thank you Rosemary. Yes. Trap Neuter Secure is a method that is very humane
and certainly provides for better care and management of feral cats. I have
visited a great facility in California, which had a large indoor/outdoor
enclosed area for the feral cats. The cats were trapped, quarantined,
vetted for diseases, treated as needed and then after they passed through
the quarantine stage, they entered the Secure Facility. This facility also
had a food service area, a hospital area and storage area. The building was
constructed specifically for these feral cats by an individual who wanted
to provide the most humane solution for feral cats. It is a matter of fact
that coyotes kill and eat feral cats, ferals are hit by cars, treated as
targets by shooters, and when they come down with a disease, they simply
suffer through it or die. With TNS, a cat with a problem can be diagnosed
and treated. Cats in TNS facilities are routinely fed and cared for. TNS is
also used by some counties as their method for controlling feral cats. This
solution saves our native wildlife and provides a good life for the cats. I
would strongly recommend this solution for the sake of the cats and I
wonder why more people are not aware of it.
Laurella Desborough
May 8, 2009 8:05 AM
BirdAdvocate :
I have seen this plan proposed a number of times, and thus far I find it
moral, ethical, humane, and ecologically sound, so long as the output from
the sewer is considered and eradicates any harmful bacteria or parasites.
It is the antithesis of TNR, which I feel selfishly abandons and inflicts
hundreds of thousands of domestic pet predators on our already fragile
natural fauna in the name of "compassion!"
2 Comments
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