City sponsoring humane, cost-effective solution to managing rising feral cat population.
Councilwoman Darlene Harris Pittsburgh, PA: City Councilwoman Darlene M. Harris has initiated a pilot “TNR” (Trap-Neuter-Return) project for feral cats in her North Side district, as a humane, cost-effective solution to managing the number of outdoor cats living in the city. This is the first such project sponsored by the City of Pittsburgh. Councilwoman Harris’ district consists of seventeen North Side neighborhoods.
Trap-Neuter-Return is defined by national advocacy organization Alley Cat Allies as “a full management plan in which stray and feral cats already living outdoors are humanely trapped, then rabies vaccinated and sterilized by veterinarians. Kittens and tame cats are adopted into good homes. Adult cats too wild to be adopted are returned to their habitats. If possible, volunteers provide long-term care including food, shelter and health monitoring.” TNR reduces feral cat populations in the mid-to-long-term by substantially reducing the number of breeding animals. In the short term, sterilization removes the root causes of most feral cat-related complaints, namely spraying, fighting and noise, nuisance behaviors associated with mating rituals and competition between unneutered males. Research has also shown that “TNR-ed” cats live safer, healthier lives, due to a decreased roaming tendency, and the benefits of spay/neuter, which include lower rates of reproductive organ cancer.
The City project began in the first week of November and is targeting several North Side colonies. It has been planned in association with several City animal protection groups, whose volunteers are coordinating the logistics of the operation. Funding comes from the District 1 Neighborhood Needs funds.
Feral cat numbers in Pittsburgh have been on the rise over recent years as warmer, longer summers have boosted breeding rates. Under the current City Animal Control policy, complaints about feral cats are handled by delivering traps to residents. Animal Control officers subsequently return and pick up trapped animals and deliver them to a local shelter. Because these cats are usually unadoptable, most are euthanized. Not only is this solution controversial, but it is also labor-intensive, and the cost per cat is extremely high for the City, accounting for a substantial share of the City Animal Control budget. Trap-Neuter-Return provides a more humane and more cost-effective solution, while drastically reducing human-feral cat conflict. Indeed, only two weeks after the North Side project began, the response from area residents has been overwhelmingly supportive, with interest being expressed by neighborhood associations.
“After researching the positive results achieved in other Cities following the implementation of TNR programs, it was clear to me that this was our best solution for tackling the feral cat colonies on the North Side. We hope to subsequently extend the effort to other areas of the City,” said Mrs. Harris, who has been spearheading efforts to re-design the City’s Animal Control policy, towards a system that combines greater all-round efficiency with a more animal-friendly approach.
More information about Trap-Neuter-Return can be found at
http://www.alleycat.org .
Release printed with permission
Image courtesy of Darlene Harris
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