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HSHV's TRAP, NEUTER AND RETURN PROGRAM (TNR)
The HSHV TNR Program has an urgent need for dry catfood to help caregivers.
Please contact Kathryn at (734) 662-5585 x103 if you can help.
Read "For the Love of Ferals"
HSHV’s Trap, Neuter, and Return Program aims to reduce the overpopulation of feral cats while supporting a higher quality of life and reducing unnecessary euthanasia of feral cats.
Through this program feral cats are humanely trapped by HSHV staff and volunteers, brought to HSHV for spay/neutering, vaccines, health check and ear-tipping (for identification), and are then returned to their original habitat. Social cats and kittens are placed up for adoption at HSHV. Involvement in this program requires a volunteer colony manager to feed and monitor the colony. While there is no fee for this program, we do encourage monetary donations so that we can keep this program running strong. You may also call HSHV and request to have your donation designated to our TNR program.
If you know you have feral cats and want them removed, that is not a service we provide. If you know you have feral cats, please contact our TNR Coordinator, Kathryn@hshv.org, about participating in our TNR program.
How to tell the difference between a feral and a stray cat…
Feral Cat |
Stray Cat (lost or abandoned) |
Silent except mating calls and hisses |
Meows |
Only seen at dawn and dusk to hunt |
Seen at all times of day and night |
Will eat food only after humans have retreated a distance |
Will eat food with humans standing within six foot |
Can never be touched or held |
May be touched, held or approached within limitations. |
If cornered will hiss, spit and fight hard |
If cornered will try to hide but fight if pushed |
Looks clean and healthy (feral cats are better at surviving in the wild) |
Looks dirty and unwell |
Intact or neutered and ear tipped as part of TNR |
Intact or Neutered |
No collar or microchip |
Might have collar and microchip |
To determine if a cat is feral, stray, or just a visiting cat from the neighborhood, the cat should be monitored for a few days. Using the information above to determine if the animal is feral or stray (stray refers to homeless cats that are lost or abandoned pets and have not been born in the wild). If the cat is clean, healthy and friendly, it is likely a neighborhood cat just visiting. You can put a collar on the cat with a note asking the owners to notify you if this is their cat. This way an owned cat does not mistakenly get taken to the Humane Society.
If this same cat starts to loose weight or looks increasingly disheveled, it is likely a lost or abandoned pet. You may choose to bring the cat inside or to bring to the Humane Society. In either scenario, signs should be posted in the neighborhood regarding a found cat, and a found report made at the HSHV.
If you know you have feral cats and want them removed, that is not a service we provide. If you know you have feral cats and want to trap them and bring them in to HSHV, there is a charge for this service and we would rather you spoke with our TNR Coordinator about better, more effective alternatives. Removing feral cats from an area will not get rid of the problem; it will only leave a gap for a new cat to enter.
Looking for ways to keep cats away from your yard or garden?
Here are some basic guidelines to keep cats out of your flower beds, gardens and patios:
1. You can plant the herb Rus or sprinkle it in its dry form.
2. Scatter fresh organe and lemon peels (cats dislike citrus smells) or spray citrus scented fragrances.
3. Lavender oil, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, mustard oil, citronella oil, cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, or pipe tobacco also deter cats.
4. Havaharts Cat Repellent uses capsaicin pepper and oil of mustard as its active ingredients. It repels by both taste and odor nad has a lemon scent. Lasts 7-10 days and needs to be reapplied after rain or new growth.
5. You can line flower beds with pinecones or rocks.
6. Try the new cat repellent motion detector - The Scarecrow!
How can you cover up cat urine smells:
1. Spray the area thoroughly with white vinegar or with non-toxic products available at pet supply stores.
How can you keep cats from under porches or in sheds?
1. Once you are certain the cats are not inside, physically block or seal the location the cats are entering with chicken wire or lattice.
2. Be sure to search for kittens before confirming the cats have left.
Additional resources with information about Feral Cats:
Alley Cat Allies - www.alleycat.org
For the Love of Cats - www.tlconline.org
Indy Feral - www.indyferal.org
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary - www.bestfriends.org
Defenders of Wildlife - www.defenders.org
Animal Welfare Federation of New Jersey - www.awfnj.org
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