Friends of Felines' mission, in the interests of feral and stray cats everywhere, is to support cat caretakers, gain recognition of the beneficial role that caretakers perform, implement the trap, neuter and return (TNR) method of population control, and promote the adoption of long-term, caretaker-based solutions regarding feral and stray cats.
Specifically, our purpose and commitment are to:
To support the caretakers
To educate the public and advocates for the interests of feral cat caretakers
Friends of Felines offers public presentations regarding T-N-R and other feral cat issues free of charge to groups, animal control officers, city councils, etc. If your group is interested, contact us at info@felinefriendsks.com.
Trap, Neuter, and Return or TNR is a program in which stray and feral cats already living outdoors in cities, towns, and rural areas are humanely trapped, then evaluated, vaccinated, and sterilized by veterinarians. Kittens and tame cats are adopted into good homes. Healthy adult cats are generally too wild to be adopted and are returned to their outdoor home to be cared for by local volunteers for the remainder of their lives. This continual care creates a safety net for both the cats and the community -- NO more kittens are born, and the feral cat population is REDUCED.
FOF Process -- FOF volunteers place humane traps to catch ferals. Cats are taken to the Kansas Humane Society or a local veterinarian for processing. During processing, the cats are checked for diseases, spayed or neutered, ears are tipped, and vaccinations are administered. Cats are kept for a few days in order for anesthesia to wear off and to make sure all is well before returning them to their colony.
TNR Works! The breeding stops. Populations are gradually reduced. The annoying behaviors of mating cats, such as yowling or fighting, stop. The cats are vaccinated against disease, and they are fed quality food on a regular basis.
Eradication Fails -- Every Time. This process is extremely costly because cats must be continually removed. Other cats simply move in to take advantage of the available resources and they breed prolifically, quickly forming a new colony. This "vacuum effect" is well documented. Eradication invariably leads to killing since feral cats are wild and most are unadoptable.
One must take into account that it is not the cat's fault for all the feline overpopulation. The fault lies with humans, the irresponsible owners, who fail to alter their pets and when they become burdensome, turn them away to fend for themselves.
Stray Cat -- A domestic cat that strayed from home and became lost or was abandoned. Because a stray cat was once a companion animal, he/she can usually be re-socialized and placed in an adoptive home.
Feral Cat Colony -- A group of free-roaming cats living in a specific geographic area. Prior to the implementation of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), feral cat colonies consist of both stray (tame) and feral (wild) cats of all ages, from kittens through adults. After TNR is completed, a feral cat colony consists exclusively of adult feral cats.
Population Nationwide: According to the Humane Society of the United States, the population of feral cats is estimated at 60 million, and growing.
Caretaker Population: According to the Humane Society of the United States, throughout the U.S., 1.7 million caretakers tend to 35 million cats.
Caretaker Profile: Caretakers range in age from nine to 90, and they come from all lifestyles. According to a survey conducted by Tufts University, the median age of a feral cat caretaker is 43.2 years.
Feral Colonies: Feral cats live in colonies where they congregate around a food source. Colonies typically number 10 to 30 cats.
The Feral's Favorite Locations: Feral cats live near dumpsters, alleys, in storm drains, vacated buildings, storage facilities, warehouses, and behind restaurants and supermarkets.
TNR-the Approved Solution: The humane method of trap, neuter, and return (TNR), is the only successful, proved method of controlling the population growth of feral/stray cats.
The Need for an Informed Public: The public and local government presently lacks awareness that a humane solution to feral/stray cat proliferation is available. This lack of information frustrates and affects the work of caretakers, especially when property owners and local government officials make uneducated and inappropriate decisions involving inhumane and short-term solutions.
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