The Humane Society of the Uwharries (HS-URE) is excited about a new  service they are offering to the community. Recognizing the need to reduce the overpopulation of feral cats in the county, HS-URE has initiated a trap-neuter-spay-vaccinate-return (TNVR) program. TNVR is a widely used and effective method for controlling the feral and free roaming cat colonies. It is a collaborative effort between the Humane Society and citizens provides a humane alternative to address the problem.

There are many benefits to a TNVR program in addition to improving the lives of cats it permanently reduces the population and controls the spread of rabies. They also serve as great “barn cats” to control the rodent population and are a deterrent for other cats from “moving in,” as sterilized cats protect their territory. It lowers the number of cat intakes into local animal control and euthanasia rates, which decreases the expenses of animal control.

In the process of TNVR, cats are trapped in humane traps and transported to a veterinarian for evaluation. Cats are then spayed or neutered and have their left ear tipped, while under sedation, to make them easily recognized as part of a TNVR colony. They are also vaccinated for rabies and given other shots prior to being returned to their original outdoor home and released.

Feral cats are known to have a higher reproductive rate, breeding as early as xix months. Approximately 75% of kittens born to feral cats die or disappear by six months of age, most often due to trauma. On average an unaltered female cat produces 3 litters per year averaging four to six kittens per litter. A single unspayed female, through her offspring, can produce more than 400,000 cats in her lifetime.

HS-URE has a mission to contribute to the solution of overpopulation. “We currently have two feral colonies in Montgomery County we have assisted with. This potentially reduces the population over the next year by 32+ cats. We also have two additional colonies in progress.