Feral and Community Cats: What TNR Does

Most South African neighbourhoods have a cat colony somewhere — behind the shops, at the industrial park, on the smallholding. What to do about them is a question with a well-established answer.

Why removal fails

Removing cats from a site creates what is known as the vacuum effect: the food source that supported them remains, and cats from surrounding areas move in and breed to fill the gap. Populations return to their previous level, and the cycle repeats. Culling has been tried extensively worldwide and does not produce lasting reductions.

What TNR involves

Trap-neuter-return means humanely trapping the cats, having them sterilised and vaccinated, ear-tipping them for identification, and returning them to their territory where a caretaker feeds and monitors them.

The colony stops growing, fighting and yowling reduce dramatically, spraying decreases, and the population declines gradually as cats age out. The ear tip — a small straight cut off the tip of one ear, done under anaesthetic — tells anyone that this cat is already done.

Doing it in South Africa

Several welfare organisations and independent groups run TNR programmes and many will lend traps and subsidise the sterilisation. Phone your local SPCA or search for a TNR or cat welfare group in your area — most metros have at least one active group and they are usually desperate for volunteers and trap-drivers.

Do not attempt to catch feral cats by hand. Use a proper humane trap, cover it with a towel once the cat is inside to reduce stress, and keep the cat quiet and dark until surgery.

Feeding responsibly

• Feed at set times rather than leaving food out permanently, which attracts rats and creates neighbour conflict.
• Remove bowls after twenty minutes.
• Feed away from walkways and driveways.
• Provide water, especially in summer.
• Talk to neighbours before they complain, and explain that a sterilised colony is a stable, quiet colony.

Kittens and friendly ones

Young kittens caught early can often be socialised and rehomed. Adult ferals generally cannot and are far better off returned to their territory than confined. Some cats in a colony turn out to be lost or dumped pets — scan for a microchip when they are at the vet.