The City of Martensville recently partnered with SCAT Street Cat Rescue to help control the stray cat population within the community by working together to manage a TNRM (Trap, Neuter, Release, Manage) program.
With the TNRM program, colony cats are taken in and get fixed, vaccinated, dewormed and micro-chipped before returning them to their colony where they are looked after by a caretaker.
“Colony cats are un-owned cats within the community. By fixing these cats, we reduce the feline overpopulation issue, fighting between cats, spraying, and roaming. Having colony cats micro-chipped makes for easy identification if picked up by a community member and they can be placed back in the colony,” Jessica Reese, SCAT Street Cat Rescue Secretary, explained.
For Reese, the past experience with TNRM programs was helping with the wide scale TNRM program that was done in rural communities around Saskatoon. SCAT partnered with SOS Prairie Rescue to ensure there was a strong volunteer base and fundraising was done in advance to help support the programs initiative.
“We successfully vetted and released over 110 cats. This week-long project was a wonderful experience and learning opportunity for future TNRM programs going forward,” Reese said.
In order for this program to be successful, SCAT is looking for community members that are already feeding a colony of cats to come forward, so they can then help that individual fix and vet the cats and then SCAT will help ensure the caretaker has adequate shelter for the winter months in order to guarantee the safety of the cats.
Other communities within Saskatchewan are already utilizing the TNRM programs; however, Reese noted that many cities and towns have bylaws that restrict programs like these from existing. “We would love to implement these programs in all communities in and around Saskatoon to continue to reduce the feline overpopulation issue.”
The benefits of this program have been proven in helping reduce feline overpopulation over time without causing harm to the cats. “Removing cats from the problem area only allows for other cats to move into this area. TNRM gets to the root of the problem by stopping the continuous breeding cycle,” Reese stated, adding that cats can get pregnant as early as 4-5 months of age, and their gestation period is only 63 days. Cats can also produce up to three litters per year, which average 4-6 kittens.
Community members should continue to contact Bylaw or Paws Republic Centre for Pets in regards to stray cats, in case they are a lost cat. All cats will go through a stray holding period to ensure they are truly un-owned before becoming a part of the TNRM program.
“If you or someone in your area is willing to be a caretaker to the cat(s) you find in your area, please contact Paws Republic (at (306) 934-7297), so we can ensure you are set up with the necessary tools and information.”
