The Feral Cat Program

Feral (wild) cats are welcomed and cared for at SNIP with a free program designed to meet their needs and the needs of their caregivers.

SNIP provides free spay/neuter services with free vaccinations and deworming for feral cats.  We add them to the daily schedule between 8 and 9 am without appointments to accommodate the uncertainty of trapping.  We have performed more than 1100 procedures on feral cats thus far.

Because roughly 6 out of 10 owned cats come from the feral population, it is virtually impossible to gain control of the pet cat population without addressing the enormous feral population.  We provide live traps and have holding facilities in some situations so that entire colonies can be spay and neutered.  Called “trap-neuter-return” or “TNR” the results of this method of dealing with feral cats has been thoroughly researched and found to be the only effective method of dealing with this unfortunate population.  It is both humane and effective.  The discredited method of trap and kill actually results in an increase in the number of cats because there is a documented rebound effect; that is, the colony “senses” a threat to survival and responds by producing more kittens to compensate.

Once a colony is stabilized with TNR, returned to their “home” area and fed, they discourage new arrivals and gradually the population is reduced  as natural attrition diminishes their numbers.  All this is accomplished without cruelty or killing.

Ill or injured feral cats are taken care of too.  Recognizing that most people cannot house and treat feral cats, SNIP provides this service for cats that are too difficult to handle safely.

 Litters of feral kittens are often raised by the volunteers of SNIP (see Feral House) so that when tame and healthy, they can have a better life.

Caregivers have often made longterm commitments to feral colonies.  The average length of time that a caregiver takes care of a colony is 7 years! SNIP is available to help the caregivers by providing food in addition to medical care and advice.

See also:  Alley Cat Allies   How to Trap a Trap Savvy Cat