Community Cats TNR continues to help cat population

Community Cats TNR continues to help cat population

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — Community Cats TNR, a local, non-profit group of volunteers, in partnership with Country Veterinary Clinic has trapped, neutered, and returned (TNRd) 1,500 cats as of November 7, 2023.

Cat number 1,500 was a spunky black and white female, about 6 months old.  She came from a large feline family in the Tallman area of Mason County.  She was spayed and vaccinated by Dr. Alex Alvarado of Country Veterinary Clinic.

During the past 11 years, volunteers for the Community Cats TNR program have been working with caregivers to trap, neuter, return homeless cats, primarily in urban locations, throughout Mason County.  Based upon calculations by the University of Washington Math Department, females TNRd so far by Community Cats TNR could have produced approximately 330,000 unwanted kittens in just seven years.

According to Community Casts TNR, the process is the only method proven to be humane and effective at controlling feral cat population growth.  Volunteers focus on keeping the cats as stress-free as possible by monitoring the traps at all times and covering the trap when it closes to immediately calm the cat.

Community Cats TNR focuses on homeless cats that need to be trapped for safe handling and transport to the veterinary clinic.  People who are caring for friendly strays are encouraged to arrange for surgery with their own veterinarian and to contact Fixing Furry Friends Facebook page to complete an application for a spay/neuter certificate to pay for a portion of the cost.

Caregivers in Mason County who are feeding homeless cats that cannot safely be handled are encouraged to call 231-845-7888 for more information on getting the colony spayed and neutered and vaccinated.  Trap, neuter, return operations are paused during the late fall and winter months so cats are not subjected to cold weather survival and surgery recovery at the same time.

Warm shelter along with food and water is critical to the survival of outdoor cats throughout cold and wet weather.  There are many ideas and designs available for winter cat shelters on www.alleycat.org, www.bestfriends.org, www.neighborhoodcats.org and many others.  Shelters need minimal air space and plenty of straw for insulation.  Community Cats TNR always needs half-inch plywood, paneling or luan, and rigid “blue board” insulation, along with volunteers to build shelters.  County-wide there is a need for more foster homes and secure places to relocate cats faced with loss of a safe environment.

For more information, call 231-845-7888.  Donations can be made by check to Community Cats TNR, PO Box 384, Ludington, MI  49431 or by credit card by going to www.nfggive.org/donation/46-3759577  to complete the Network for Good form.