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A volunteer organization dedicated to helping the stray, feral
and barn cats of |
If you know of any cats who need our help, please contact us. |
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Frequently
Asked Questions
What is a trap-neuter-release (TNR) program? How does the CAT program work? What is a feral cat?
Feral cats are the offspring of stray or abandoned pet cats, raised
without close human contact. They
typically live in colonies where food and shelter are available. What is a trap-neuter-release (TNR) program?
With trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs, cats are humanely
trapped and neutered, so that they won't contribute to the growth of the cat
population, and they are provided with other necessary veterinary care. Upon recovery, the cats are released back
into their colony. Colony caregivers
then provide them with food and water daily, and monitor their numbers and
health. Why
TNR?
Studies have shown that controlling feral/stray cat
populations through ‘trap and kill' programs is very ineffective and
costly. In addition, these programs
are widely felt to be inhumane. When
feral/stray cats are removed from their colonies and euthanized, those left
behind become more fertile and reproduce to fill the territory vacated by
those removed. Removal programs must
therefore be constantly repeated. To
help better deal with feral/stray cat overpopulation, many communities in TNR is considered to be the most humane and economical
solution to the problem of feral and stray cat overpopulation by experts such
as the American Veterinary Medical Association,
American
Humane Association, Humane Society of
the United States, and the Cat
Fanciers' Association.
TNR helps to stabilize and maintain healthy feral/stray cat colonies
with the least possible cost to local governments and residents, while
providing a better life for the animals themselves. Benefits of a TNR program include:
Who is the Cat Action Team?
The Cat Action Team (CAT) of Prince Edward Island (PEI) is an
all-volunteer registered charitable organization working to care for and
control the feral and stray cat population throughout the province. CAT was founded in November 2000 in Our goals are:
How does the CAT program work?
TNR Feral or stray cats are caught using a humane box trap. Once trapped, cats are brought to a
veterinary clinic and are surgically spayed or neutered. They are also tested for disease,
vaccinated, treated for parasites, and tattooed for later recognition. In an effort to protect the health of the
stray and feral cat population, cats who test positive for feline
immunodeficiency (FIV) or feline leukemia (FeLV) are humanely
euthanized. Veterinary care is provided
by private veterinary clinics and by volunteer veterinarians and students at
the Atlantic
Veterinary College (AVC). Costs for veterinary care at the AVC are currently funded by
grants from the Sir James Dunn
Animal Welfare Centre.
CAT also receives a grant from the Pegasus Family Foundation, and
financial support from Pegasus for a "Five for Fridays" Feral Cat
Neuter Clinic at the AVC. CAT pays a
discounted rate or approximately $100 per cat at private clinics. IAMS recently awarded $5,000.00 to CAT for activities at
the AVC. This will be used to buy test
kits for Friday clinics. There is currently a waiting list of over 400 cats who are waiting to go through CAT's TNR program. Colony Care The Cat Action Team also operates a Colony Care Program, which
goes hand-in-hand with our TNR program.
CAT is contacted by members of the public who are concerned about
stray and feral cats in their area. An
initial assessment of the area is done to ensure that it is a safe location
for the cats. However, relocation of
cats is kept to a minimum as there is usually no alternative area to place
the cats. CAT then forms partnerships
with those citizens who are willing to act as "caregiver" for a
group of feral and stray cats, or a "colony." A caregiver agrees to provide the cats with
food and water daily, and to monitor the health and numbers of the cats in
the colony. In exchange, CAT provides
caregivers with supplies of cat food, and with a wooden shelter and straw
bedding, if necessary. Also, cats in
the colony are enrolled in the TNR program as soon as possible. CAT remains in contact with caregivers to
provide assistance as necessary. Other Programs The Cat Action Team also provides limited emergency veterinary
care for stray and feral cats who are injured or ill, and an informal
adoption network for kittens and tame adult stray cats. |
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For more information about the Cat Action Team, contact the president. |
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Updated 25 July 2010