TNR (or, Trap-Neuter-Return) saves lives of community feral cats. Feral cats are deemed "un-adoptable" as set forth by shelter standards and are thus euthanized. shortly after arriving to the shelter. Feral cats are released to designated territories after they are neutered. They in turn, help control pest and rodent problems. Over time, the colony's population decreases, helping to increase the City shelter's live-release rate.
"TNR" is the only method proven to be humane and effective at controlling feral cat population growth. Using this technique, all the feral cats in a colony are trapped, neutered and then returned to their territory where caretakers provide them with regular food and shelter. Young kittens who can still be socialized, as well as friendly adults, are placed in foster care and eventually adopted out to good homes. - (neighborhoodcats.org)
Trap and remove, the current technique utilized by animal control, is simply ineffective. If all the cats are not caught, then the ones left behind breed until the former population level is reached. Even if all the cats are removed, new unneutered cats tend to move in to take advantage of whatever food source there was, and the cycle starts again.
Approximately 65-75% of all cats impounded at the taxpayer-funded (Chuck Silcox) Animal Care & Control shelter are euthanized each year. This is unacceptable.
The current method of feral cat management must be amended to allow our neighborhood cats to live out their lives and fulfill their natures (rodent and pest control), while minimizing any possible negative impact.
TNR is the only method that works.