Feral Cats & Trap/Neuter/Release (TNR)
TNR involves the trapping of feral cats using non-lethal baited traps, taking the cats to a participating veterinarian for spaying and neutering, vaccinating them against rabies, and blood testing them (if funding permits) for exposure to the feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency viruses. Veterinarians will also ear-notch (typically the left ear) them to permanently mark them as altered when released back into their places of origin. Typically, they are released within 24 hours, very early in the healing process for (in the females) major abdominal surgery.
TNR has supporters as well as those who oppose of this practice. It takes a dedicated group of caretakers who are also willing to commit to a long term project of daily feed/water, provide some type of shelter, continue to trap annually for rabies booster, and maintain the colony inventory complete with individual descriptions and identification and proof of rabies certificate. TNR requires daily ongoing care and documentation for the life of the colony. Animals that are released into the outdoors and not provided with a routine care protocol are considered abandoned and abandonment is against Georgia’s state law under the GA Animal Protection Act. Georgia also requires that a caretaker be listed as an “owner” because companion animals are considered property in our state and animals without a known “owner” is considered abandoned and is at risk of being trapped and destroyed.
TNR is not against state law; however, always review your local municipal animal ordinances before you begin practicing TNR in your community, in the event your local city or county prohibits the practice of TNR. State law under Georgia’s Animal Protection Act and Georgia’s Animal Cruelty Laws also protects feral cats. Feral cats are considered domestic cats that are not socialized under Georgia’s laws. They are not considered wildlife.
v Many of Georgia’s low cost or subsidized spay/neuter programs offer additional discounts for feral cats.