How does TNR compare to other methods of controlling feral cats?
Substantial debate surrounds the appropriate response to the presence of feral and free-roaming cats. The traditional approach to controlling them has been extermination by trapping and euthanasia. However, large scale trap and kill programs have not been widely implemented or successful and frequently result in public outcry. TNR has become an increasingly popular method of managing existing colonies of feral cats. Neutered cats display fewer nuisance behaviors such as spraying and fighting and can not reproduce. Over time, colony size should decrease due to attrition. In addition, TNR has been shown to be more cost effective than trapping and euthanizing feral cats since most states require impoundment and holding prior to euthanasia and since private volunteers are more likely to trap cats for surgery than for euthanasia.
