Feral Cat TNR Project
Emergency Feral Cat TNR Project at Local Campground
September 2014 — Texas Animal Guardians is currently working on an emergency TNR project that involves spay/neuter and relocation of 25 plus feral cats/kittens from a local RV camp in Comal County, Texas. The cats, more than likely former pets of campground residents who moved on, are unaltered. So it hasn’t taken long for these former pets to produce a colony of “feral” cats.
Texas Animal Guardians (TAG) became aware of the situation through a Good Samaritan who was feeding the cats/kittens. TAG’s volunteers stepped in to help round up the cats for spay/neuter surgeries. The clinic visits also included testing for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeL), rabies and combo vaccinations, internal and external parasite control and medications for existing medical concerns. Sadly, a lot of kittens were in serious ill health. They were removed first and taken to TAG’s veterinarian for hospitalization.
Unfortunately the good Samaritan was evicted from the campground for feeding the cats. Despite the fact that TAG is actively engaged in the TNR, removing the cats/kittens as rapidly as possible, some of the campground residents are shooting them. It’s completely unnecessary to kill the cats in this manner. Texas Animal Guardians (TAG) has removed the majority of the kittens and many of the mother cats. The humane trapping is an ongoing process and TAG is confident that all the cats will be removed, provided with vet care, spay/neuter surgeries and relocated.
However, Texas Animal Guardians is placing a plea for help to the Comal County, Blanco County and Hays County communities. TAG desperately needs relocation placement for the adult cats. The adoptable kittens have been transferred into our adoption program. For obvious reasons, the adult cats can not be returned to the campground. They have been outdoor cats the majority of their lives and will prefer living outdoors. They are friendly, approachable and used to people, other cats and dogs. They’d make great barn cats or resident cats for rural businesses. We provide help with the acclimation process. We just need local residents willing to give them outside homes.
Please, contact us if you can help in any way, either financially or by providing a few cats an outdoor space to live. Thank you in advance for spreading the word and giving us your support!
For more information about and studies about TNR please see these links:
PDF Booklet on TNR vs. Alternatives
Key Scientific Studies on Trap-Neuter_Return
NOTE: Please remember that all dumped and abandoned animals, domesticated cats included, are the victims of inhumane (and illegal) treatment by humans. Dogs, not just cats, are dumped now in larger numbers than ever before. America is now dealing with feral dog issues the likes of which is unprecedented. This is largely due to a declining economy and a growing American population from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Both documented and undocumented immigrants bring cultural taboos against neutering male cats/dog. This mindset increases the likelihood of unwanted pet over population. Not to mention that undocumented immigrants exceed documented ones and most do not speak English. So getting the message of spay/neuter out to them is almost impossible. How can we help? By providing education with easy-to-understand visuals. And informing people to NOT get pets if they can’t afford them.
Many of the animals received into our adoption program need expensive medical care. Your tax deductible contribution helps pay for this. Won’t you please consider a small donation to help needy animals get well? This gives them a chance at adoption and a new life. Thank you in advance!