Feral Cat Facts
- What is a feral cat? A feral cat is one that has had little or no contact with humans and is wild. Feral cats are usually the offspring of unneutered cats abandoned by their owners, or they are adult cats that were abandoned so long ago that they have reverted to a wild state. Feral cats are often found in commercial areas, subsisting on the scraps they find in dumpsters or on the ground. They may also be near apartment complexes where previous owners abandon them when they move.
- What is TNR? TNR stands for Trap, Neuter, and Return. Feral cats must be trapped (humanely, of course) because they do not trust humans. The cats are then taken to a veterinarian, and they are spayed or neutered, given vaccinations, and any other critical care. They recover overnight, and then they are released back into their colony where they are most comfortable. Since a pair of feral cats that are not spayed or neutered can produce close to 420,000 offspring over a seven year period, TNR can potentially save hundreds of thousand of lives.
- Why do we trap, neuter, and return? We want all homeless cats to be neutered so that no unwanted kittens are born. We practice TNR because feral cats are wild and have had little or no contact with people. They prefer to live with other feral cats in groups, or colonies, rather than with humans.
- Why is TNR important? As mentioned above, two feral cats who have not been spayed or neutered can produce around 420,000 kittens in seven years. Unless a caring person takes care of these cats, a staggering number of them will end up in the Knox County Animal Shelter where they will most likely be euthanized because they are considered unsuitable for adoption. TNR prevents so many unwanted kittens from being born.
- Did you know? Only 1 in 9 cats and dogs born in the U.S. will find a home. The rest will be destroyed because nobody wants them. Could you choose which animal will live? It's a choice no one should have to make. But your local animal shelter makes this decision every day. You can help stop the killing. Spay or neuter your pet.