What do we do at Cat Snips?
What is TNR?
TNR stands for Trap–Neuter–Return, a humane and effective approach to managing feral cat populations. This process helps reduce colony size, allows caregivers to better monitor cat groups, and limits the spread of disease within colonies.
Cats reproduce quickly. A single female can have multiple litters each year, and over her lifetime, the number of offspring can grow exponentially. Without intervention, even a small group of cats can grow into an unmanageable population in a short period of time.
Through TNR, feral cats are humanely trapped and scanned for microchips to ensure they are not owned pets. They then receive veterinary care, including spay or neuter surgery, rabies and FVRCP vaccinations, and an ear tip. If a cat is sick or injured, they remain under veterinary care until fully healed. Once healthy, the cat is returned to the same outdoor location where it was found.
An ear tip—where a small portion of one ear is surgically removed—is the universal sign that a cat has already gone through TNR. If you see a cat with an ear tip, it means they are vaccinated, fixed, and do not need to be trapped again.
A feral cat is not a pet.
A feral cat—often called a community cat—is not a pet. While they may resemble domestic cats, feral cats live independently outdoors and are not comfortable with human interaction. Much like the difference between a wild rabbit and a house rabbit, appearance alone doesn’t determine behavior. Feral cats have no desire to live indoors and should be considered wild animals.
These cats avoid close contact with people, even when someone regularly provides food. They will not tolerate being touched and generally keep their distance. In natural settings, feral cats are usually quiet, vocalizing only to communicate with their kittens, signal distress, or warn of danger.
If a cat willingly approaches you, allows petting, and frequently meows, it is likely not feral. Cats that display this behavior are more commonly stray cats, lost pets, or indoor/outdoor cats.
Understanding whether a cat is feral or stray is essential because it determines how the cat should be helped. Stray cats are human-socialized and can often be reunited with owners. If no owner is found, they can receive veterinary care and be placed in indoor homes. Feral cats, on the other hand, are given medical care and then returned to their outdoor territory, where they continue living as wild animals.
Feral Cat Fun Facts
- Kittens born to feral cats can become friendly, adoptable pets if socialization begins at a young age.
- Feral cats help control rodent populations naturally.
- Cats that have gone through TNR are not harmful to property or neighborhoods.
- Like house cats, feral cats instinctively bury their waste—this is a natural survival trait, not learned behavior.
- Feral cats and raccoons often coexist peacefully, especially when food sources are available. In some cases, they have even been observed playing together.
- Feral cats are experts at staying out of sight. It’s possible to live near a colony and never realize it’s there.
- Compared to indoor cats, feral cats are very active, spending much of their day roaming, hunting, playing, and exploring.