Community Cats
What is Trap-Neuter-Return-Maintain?
Trap-Neuter-Return-Maintain (TNRM) is the only humane method of controlling the feral cat population. TNRM spares the lives of free-roaming cats, whether they are feral, stray or abandoned. Cats are trapped humanely, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and then returned to their outdoor homes. During surgery, the cats’ left ears are tipped so that they can easily be recognized as having been spayed/neutered. Back in their colonies, the cats live healthier lives, the smells and noise associated with mating disappear, there are no more litters, and the colony numbers naturally reduce over time.
TNRM 101 Class (Trap, Neuter, Return, Maintain)
Do you feed outdoor cats? Concerned about their increasing numbers & safety? The workshop will provide tips and instructions on how to safely and humanely reduce the free-roaming cat population in your community. Trapping and killing cats is inhumane and does not stop the outdoor cat population from increasing.
The workshop will explain everything you need to know about the TNRM process, loan of traps, low-cost spay/neuter options, recovery protocols after spay/neuter surgery, how to help solve cat nuisance problems and safely manage outdoor cat populations.
Please RSVP to communityTNRM@gmail.com if you plan to attend TNRM class. Dates can be found here on our event calendar.
We are happy to provide additional classes by appointment. Please email communityTNRM@gmail.com if you are interested.
To learn more about feral cats, please visit Alley Cat Allies
TNRM-San Marcos joins Pet Prevent a Litter, forms PALS TNRM
Through the years, a group of volunteers united to help free-roaming cats and formed TNRM-San Marcos. Their mission to reduce euthanasia of homeless animals brought them together with Pet Prevent a Litter (PALS) of Central Texas in 2008. This union resulted in the formation of PALS TNRM. PALS endorses TNRM, and supports volunteers in TNRM efforts through training and technical support, advocacy and community outreach.
PALS TNRM volunteers have spayed and neutered more than 1500 cats, preventing hundreds of homeless kittens.
In the news: MASH Project Fixes More than 550 Community Cats!
November 26, 2011 - Last year, Pet Prevent A Litter (PALS) of Central Texas received a $15,550 grant to provide 500 spay and neuter operations for unowned free-roaming Community Cats in four low-income neighborhoods in San Marcos. The residents in the target area received these services for free. The PetSmart Charities grant has allowed for the creation of a Mobile Animal Surgical Hospital (MASH), which convened twice a month for the past twelve months.
Volunteers were crucial to this project, working hundreds of hours to educate residents, trap and care for cats, and staff the clinics. The MASH clinic was directed by the surgical team of Dr. Mark Rumple and Robin McKean, Vet Tech and Clinic Manager.
PALS’ spay/neuter program is a great example of taking the initiative to improve the local community," said Susana Della Maddalena, Executive Director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. "Targeted programs like these are the key to successful spay/neuter in local communities. Cumulatively, they are making a huge impact on pet overpopulation nationwide."
If you have feral cats of your own, or to find out more about how to help stray cats in your neighborhood, please email communitytnrm@gmail.com, or call 754-PALS and press 5 to leave a message.
TNRM Classes
Learn the basics of TNRM and how you can help improve the lives of community cats.
Free and Low-cost spay/neuter Resources for Feral Cats*
- Austin area (open to all Central Texas residents):http://www.austinhumanesociety.org/ferals
- San Antonio area: http://www.sanantonioferalcats.org/resources.cfm
- Seguin: Seguin Animal Hospital has low-cost options for feral cats
- Other areas: http://www.spaytexas.org/listsearch.php
- Vouchers: http://www.feralcatsocietyofaustin.org/
*The above is not an exhaustive list. For additional clinics, Google your town or zip code along with “Low cost neuter clinic”
