Why Snip & Tip?

If anyone had asked me 10 years ago what I thought of feral cat trap/neuter/return (TNR) programs I would have told them that I did not support them.  These poor cats fear people yet depend on us.  The definition of feral is, having returned to an untamed state from domestication.  My opinion was that all cats should be our companions, live in our homes and be spoiled - I still believe that.  So then why would I start a TNR program?

My change in thought did not come overnight.  It was a gradual realization that the problem is not going to go a way unless some action is taken.  We receive calls regularly at the shelter about feral and free roaming cats.  Many people don't mind providing basic care for these wild cats.  They don't want to see them suffer or destroyed, but they certainly don't want more.  I started reading articles about humane and animal control organizations all over the country that have implemented TNR programs.  They saw a dramatic drop in cat euthanasia rates and in the number of litters turned into shelters since many were the off spring of these feral or free roaming cats.  TNR seemed to be a humane way to reduce the number of feral cats in the environment in the long term since it has been proven that the trap and destroy method does not.

With or without a TNR program many people will not let feral cats living in their neighborhood starve and would continue to offer food, water and shelter to these cats.    So, why not have them spayed or neutered and allow them to live out their lives with out adding to the feral population?  Doing this offers people a non-lethal solution and in turn controls and eventually reduces the population. 

These cats are out there anyway, you can find them in back yard storage sheds, barns, alleys, behind businesses and in abandoned buildings.  Chances are that you know someone feeding a cat that is not theirs.  No, the life of a feral cat is not great, but why not break the breeding cycle and help them live healthier lives?  Why not eliminate nuisance behaviors associated with breeding such as yowling females and spraying toms.  Why not reduce disease and malnutrition in these colonies?  Why not offer some kindness and compassion to these living creatures that we have put in this situation by being irresponsible.  It is certainly better than doing nothing.

So, Snip & Tip began in August of 2004 and in 12 clinics has spayed/neutered over 1000 cats that would have otherwise gone on to reproduce.  We have spayed and neutered entire colonies for caregivers.  The clinic runs like a well-oiled machine.  We are organized, efficient and give these cats the best possible care.  Dedicated volunteers give their time one Sunday a month and handle these cats (after they are sedated) with the same care that they would their own cats.  I am not exaggerating when I say that caregivers who have seen the Snip & Tip clinic in progress have been brought to tears - tears of joy because of the suffering that is being prevented.  Many have been looking for a program like this for years.

TNR is not for everyone.  If people do not want feral cats on their property they have every right to have them removed by animal control.  Snip & Tip is an option for people who do not want to see any harm come to the cats.

HAWC's ultimate goal has always been to eliminate the need for euthanasia to control the pet population with proactive spay/neuter programs.  To do this we cannot ignore the feral and free roaming cat population.

-Sara Felmlee
Humane Association President

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