Trap-Neuter-Return Program Kicks Off in First Monmouth County Municipality
They are in almost every neighborhood in New Jersey. You can spot them as they stroll down the streets, perhaps hiding under your car or deck. They often run if you approach them. You might think they belong to your neighbor or a stray that lost its way, but most likely they are feral cats.
Feral cats are free-roaming cats that can’t live with humans or adapt to living as pets. They sometimes live short lives struggling to find the basic elements of survival such as food, water and shelter. They constantly face the risk of disease and cruelty in an effort to survive. You will usually find them living in groups called colonies taking refuge in abandoned buildings or under the boardwalks of our Jersey Shore communities.
Controlling the feral cat population is a constant uphill battle usually being fought by a few “good Samaritans”. However, the Monmouth County SPCA (MCSPCA) is working hard to create change, one municipality at a time. By partnering with local towns, the MCSPCA is rolling out an effective Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. TNR programs are a humane method of trapping feral cats, having them spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies, ear tipped, microchipped and then returning them to their colony to be cared for by a certified caregiver for the rest of their lives.
Helping the overwhelming number of feral cats in the state was one of the first orders of business for MCSPCA Executive Director, Laurie Garrison, when she took over the position a year ago. She was quick to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation. “In 2009, 1,255 cats were euthanized in shelters in Monmouth County, many of them feral. TNR will help save those lives and prevent countless kittens from being born in the cold, hostile and unforgiving outdoors. Only 50% of kittens born outside to feral cats survive. TNR is effective and humane!” explained Ms. Garrison. She immediately created the position of MCSPCA Community Cat Coordinator and quickly appointed Francesca Alexander to take on the task at hand.
After months of meeting with the town council, the Monmouth County SPCA is proud to announce that the town of Sea Bright is the first municipality to partner with the MCSPCA to save the lives of the feral cats in their community and is setting the standard for all other Monmouth County communities to follow. Spayed or neutered felines no longer roam to look for mates so they will stay closer to their feeding stations. Residents of Sea Bright will also benefit from these programs with less cat fighting or loud howling in their neighborhoods.
MCSPCA Executive Director Laurie Garrison stressed, “It is very important to note that this program is fully funded by grants. No taxpayer monies will be used for TNR in Sea Bright!”
The TNR ordinance that Sea Bright passed allows for colony caregivers that are certified by the MCSPCA and provided ID badges by the Sea Bright Police Department. Only those identified will be allowed to feed and care for the colonies, which will eliminate the chaos of random dumping of food in the middle of the night and messy feeding stations.
A colony caregiver meeting is scheduled for 7pm on February 16th at the Sea Bright Library. All interested caregivers are encouraged to attend.
There is also a FREE microchip clinic that is being held by the MCSPCA on March 5th from 12pm – 4pm in the gymnasium at the Sea Bright Boro Hall for all owned cats of Sea Bright residents. (Proof of residency is required, a utility bill or driver’s license). “Microchips are smaller than a grain of rice and enable animal rescue organizations or veterinarians to scan a lost pet so they can get back home quickly. Having owned cats microchipped is extremely important to ensure that if an owned cat is picked up as part of the TNR program, we can get that cat back home.” Ms. Garrison said on the importance of the microchip clinic. “We would appreciate it if all residents attending the free clinic brought a donation of cat food to help support the TNR program,” she added.
For more information on attending the caregiver meeting or the microchip clinic please contact the Monmouth County SPCA at 732-542-0040
