September 3, 2024

By: Sarah A. Neikam, SPCA Albrecht Center Marketing Director

My husband and I share our home with four indoor cats and two and a half outdoor cats. While I believe that cats are safest and best cared for indoors, I understand that an indoor life isn’t feasible for every cat. There are too many dangers outside—cars, dogs, snakes, coyotes, and even the occasional bear sighted in our neighborhood. However, when indoor life isn’t an option, we must do our best to ensure that outdoor cats live as safely and healthily as possible.

Our outdoor cats, Big Boy and Willow, were originally neighborhood strays, also known as community cats. They were too wary of humans to be brought inside or adopted, so we enrolled them in a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. Through TNR, they were vaccinated against rabies, given a brief exam, and sterilized to prevent them from contributing to the stray cat population. Today, both cats have made our backyard and screened-in patio their home. We feed them daily, provide clean water, and offer shelter. Big Boy has grown as friendly as any domesticated cat, while Willow still prefers to keep her distance. The bond they share is evident, and we’re happy to have them in our lives.

Stache is our most recent addition to the outdoor crew—we call him “half ours” because he only visits for food two or three times a week. Like Big Boy and Willow, we also put Stache through the TNR program. Before his vaccinations and neutering, Stache wasn’t in the best of health; he often limped, likely from fighting other male cats, and would spray our porch. Since his treatment, though, Stache is noticeably healthier, happier, and even cleaner.

The stray cat population in and around Aiken is substantial, and these cats need help to live better lives. Cats left to fend for themselves face numerous dangers and challenges and often endure miserable existences. If they can’t be adopted into homes, the least we can do is help them through TNR.

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a humane and effective method for managing free-roaming cat populations. Supported by animal welfare organizations and endorsed by experts, TNR involves humanely trapping community cats, sterilizing them, providing necessary medical care, and returning them to their original outdoor habitats. This approach has gained recognition as the most compassionate and practical solution for managing feral cat populations and addressing the challenges they pose to communities.

Participating in TNR can make a significant difference in the lives of community cats and help control future populations. In Aiken, TNR services are free through the Aiken County Animal Shelter and only $40 through the SPCA Veterinary Care Center, both of which include a rabies vaccination.

 

How You Can Get Involved

  1. Get the Right Equipment: Humane traps are essential for TNR. These can often be borrowed from local animal shelters or rescues or purchased from stores like Tractor Supply. Ensure you use traps specifically designed for cats, which are safe, easy to operate, and learn how to set the trap properly to prevent injury to the cat and yourself.
  2. Set the Trap: Place the trap in an area where the cat is known to frequent. Covering the trap with a towel or blanket can help reduce the cat’s anxiety. Use smelly, fish-flavored wet food as bait to lure the cat into the trap.
  3. Monitor the Trap: Check the trap frequently, at least every 15 minutes, to ensure the cat’s safety. Never leave traps unattended overnight, as this can lead to injury or stress for the trapped cat. If the weather is extremely hot, cold, or stormy, wait for more favorable conditions before setting the trap.
  4. Transport the Cat: Once trapped, take the cat to a participating veterinary clinic or animal shelter for sterilization, vaccination, and ear-tipping, which involves a small notch in the ear to indicate that the cat has been fixed.
  5. Return the Cat: After the procedure, return the cat to its original location. This step is crucial, as stray or community cats are territorial and familiar with their environment, making it the best place for them to continue living.

Local TNR programs are accessible and affordable through the Aiken County Animal Shelter and the SPCA Veterinary Care Center, both offering rabies vaccinations and brief health exams.

If you’d like to make a difference in the lives of local community or stray cats, reach out to your local animal welfare organizations and join the TNR effort. Together, we can create a better future for all our feline friends.

 

 

Sarah Neikam is the Marketing Director for the SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken, SC. She has been with the organization since 2012, holding various roles including Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Operations & HR. A Certified Animal Welfare Administrator as of 2022, Sarah is a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She resides in Aiken with her husband, Tom, and several beloved cats.