Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs offer a humane and effective way of solving the cat overpopulation problem. Free-roaming, un-owned and unsterilized cats are trapped, neutered and returned to their original home. As a result, the size of cat colonies naturally declines through attrition. Hundreds of successful programs across the country have proven that TNR is humane effective, and even cheaper than eradication programs.

Upcoming spay and neuterathons

In September 2004, Dane County Friends of Ferals (DCFoF) consulted with Alley Cat Allies about starting a Trap-Neuter-Return program in Dane County. We placed a free advertisement in several community weekly shopper newspapers to let county residents know that they could access Dane County veterinary clinics participating in the Maddie’s Fund Spay/Neuter Project for Feral Cats. DCFoF would loan live traps, carriers, towels; transport cats to and from surgery; and provide four days of post-surgical care in a DCFoF volunteer’s home. The public response was so great that the ads had to be cancelled 3 weeks later because more than enough feral cats were identified to fill all the available feral surgery slots through the end of the year. In four months, we helped nineteen property owners and 130 cats.

In August 2005, DCFoF began its second season of providing TNR services to Dane County residents. We recruited volunteer veterinarians and veterinary students to perform spay/neuter surgeries at a veterinary clinic we rented on Sundays. Word of mouth from previous clients, a new DCFoF web site, and TV and newspaper coverage catapulted DCFoF into having brand recognition inside and beyond the county for providing this highly valued public service.

Spay and Neuterathons

Today, the all volunteer DCFoF staff routinely and efficiently spay/neuter and vaccinate 30+ cats at every surgery opportunity. Our last major spay/neuterathon was held at MATC October 19-20, 2007. We were able to sterilize a total of 137 cats! A huge thank you goes out to the veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students and other volunteers who donate their time and energy to this worthwhile cause.
The DCFoF TNR coordinator responds to the public’s calls, arranges the clients into the surgery schedule and finds enough live traps and carriers to lend to surgery clients. Our goal is to continue to do what we have shown we do very well and to support our volunteers and clients with all the tools needed to function effectively.

Our TNR initiative will have a major positive impact on the lives of feral cats and their caregivers in this community, as well as play a significant role in decreasing the free roaming cat population.

Maddie's Fund, The Pet Rescue Foundation, is a family foundation funded by PeopleSoft Founder Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl, to help create a no-kill nation. The first step is to help build programs that guarantee loving homes for all healthy shelter dogs and cats throughout the country. The next step is to save the sick, injured and poorly behaved pets in animal shelters nationwide. Maddie's Fund is named after the family's beloved Miniature Schnauzer who passed away in 1997. Visitwww.maddiesfund.orgfor more information.