Because more than 70% of cats who enter our nation’s animal control pounds and shelters are killed (per Alley Cat Allies) many rescues, including Almost Home Kitty Rescue, practice TNR to reduce the number of cats that will enter these locations.

TNR stands for Trap, Neuter, Return. TNR is a proven way to reduce the homeless kitty problem as we are tackling it at the source.

“Homeless kitties are either stray or feral. Stray cats can be friendly, but a feral cat won’t come near you and will usually cower in fear when trapped.”

A stray cat has been around humans in its lifetime and may have been abandoned by its former owner or it strayed from its home. Stray cats can become feral if left in that environment long enough, but often they can be socialized and end up to be wonderful house kitties as they were previously.

A feral cat is one who has either never had any contact with people or its contact with people has diminished over time. It is not socialized to people and survives on its own outdoors. Most feral cats are not likely to enjoy living indoors. Because of this, we will trap them, get them altered, and return them to the setting from which they came. They are comfortable in that area, as it is their home.”

A feral kitten can be brought around to being a good house kitty, depending on how old it is when it is trapped. The younger kittens are much easier to socialize, but it is often impossible to socialize the older ones.

Since feral cats are not adoptable, they should not be brought to animal pounds and shelters, because there they will either be forced to spend the rest of their life in a cage, or will be killed.