Trap-Neuter-Return Program

Over 500 Managed Feral Colonies in OKC!

The Central Oklahoma Humane Society has launched an aggressive Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program to help bring Oklahoma City feral cat populations under control.

You can assist OK Humane in helping stray and feral cats live healthier lives through contributions to be used in direct care efforts for cats. Your generosity will fund vaccinations and spay/neuter surgeries to help provide humane care for the cats and advancing the achievement of ending unnecessary euthanasia.

Donations may be mailed to:
Central Oklahoma Humane Society
9300 N. May Ave., Suite 400-281
Oklahoma City, OK 73120

Or donate online now!

Central Oklahoma Humane Society TNR

The Central Oklahoma Humane Society is extremely proud of its successful and aggressive Trap-Neuter-Return Program, “Stop the Cattin’ Around!” Since March 2007 more than 5,600 cats have been TNR’d in Oklahoma City, directly impacting the city’s euthanasia rate, and saving taxpayer dollars that previously funded the euthanasia of animals.

Truly feral cats are not candidates for adoption. They do not seek human companionship or interaction. It takes months to socialize a feral cat and they may bond to the person socializing, but may regress to a feral state when introduced to new people. TNR is the most humane option for feral cats.

Feral cats are considered to be unowned, free-roaming cats.

At this time the parameters of OK Humane’s TNR Program are:

• The colony of feral cats is located within Oklahoma City limits
• The colony is being fed and watered on a regular basis by a caretaker
• The entire colony will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated for rabies and left ear tipped at OK Humane’s NW spay/neuter clinic
• Extremely ill or injured cats are euthanized while under anesthesia
• Cats will be returned to the location they were trapped after surgery
• The colony of feral cats are to be continued to be fed and watered and monitored for on-going TNR
• You must speak with the Program Manager to sign up

The most important aspect of a successful trapping is to establish a routine feeding schedule – same time, every day. It does not matter the time of day as long as you maintain a routine. It is your personal preference if you would rather trap the night before a clinic or the morning of.

When you decide to trap, it is imperative that you withhold food for 24 hours before setting the traps. The cats must be hungry enough to lower their threshold of caution and walk inside the trap for the bait you have used. Typical baits are canned cat food, canned tuna, sardines (be careful of bones!) and fried chicken pulled from the bone.

Place a nice portion of the bait, about what would fit in the palm of your cupped hand, in the back of the trap. Dribble a little bit in the middle, close to the trip plate that will be raised when the trap is set and then just a morsel or so directly in front the trap to entice them. Set the traps close to where they cats eat, sleep or are most comfortable. Usually setting the traps next to a wall is better than out in the open.

Make sure to have on hand several old bath towels for use when a cat has been trapped – throw these over the trap and it will help calm the cat. Remove the trap to a safe place to await transport to the Clinic, such as a garage, covered porch, etc. Congratulations!

We use the highest quality suture material available, the stitches will dissolve over the course of six months and we also use suture glue to close the incision. This combination helps minimize complications and there is no reason for the cat to return for any stitches to be removed at a later date.

We work very hard at absorbing any kittens that are 6 – 9 weeks of age from managed colonies to socialize and place up for adoption, however our capacity changes on a daily basis since we do not have a shelter facility and rely upon foster homes for our animals.

Click here for information on building shelters for feral cats

At this time the Oklahoma Humane Society has approximately 500 managed colonies in the Oklahoma City limits. We encourage individuals to trap and transport to the clinic themselves, however a volunteer may be able to assist on occasion. We are always available for assistance and questions at 286-1503 x 7.

Background

TNR evolved from nonlethal control programs practiced for decades in the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe, and Africa. In the United States, TNR is practiced by thousands of individuals and hundreds of groups, with the help of sympathetic veterinarians and clinics. TNR is endorsed by numerous institutions and organizations, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Best Friends Animal Society, Cat Fancier’s Association, Cornell and Tufts Universities’ Schools of Veterinary Medicine, Doris Day Animal League, the Humane Society of the United States, San Francisco SPCA, and SPAY/USA.

Goals

• To change the way feral cats are routinely treated
• To recognize their right to live and their niche in the environment
• To improve the quality of their lives through spay/neuter
• To humanely, nonlethally, and substantially reduce their numbers