To help control the homeless cat population, we provide trap-neuter-return (TNR) services to caretakers within our service area (62201, 62203, 62204, 62205, 62206 and 62207). If you live outside our service area, contact Sterilization Nation or St. Louis Feral Cat Outreach.
Community cats are cats who live outdoors, often having little contact with humans. These cats typically do not do well in homes due to their lack of socialization. TNR allows community cats to be humanely trapped, sterilized, and released back to the outdoor area where they were found.
In addition to controlling the cat population, TNR improves the lives of feral cats, improves their relationships with the people who live near them, and decreases the size of colonies over time. Mating behaviors cease, like roaming, yowling, spraying, and fighting. TNR relieves cats of the constant stresses of mating and pregnancy. Their physical health improves, enabling them to live long, healthy lives.
If left unaltered, community cats can reproduce at an alarming rate. The average cat has 1-8 kittens per litter and 2-3 litters per year, so if left unattended a single pair of cats and their kittens can produce as many as 420,000 kittens in just 7 years. You can see how a colony could get out of control quickly! Check out this video which showcases two of our largest colonies we work with.
Metro East residents interested in TNR for community cats can call (618) 687-8007 ext. 5.