Trap-Neuter-Release Programs
The Verde Valley Humane Society supports and promotes TNR as a socially-responsible and humane approach to serving the cats and the community.
From the age of 4 months, female cats can go into heat three or more times per year, and give birth to approximately 6 kittens per litter. That’s at least 18 kittens a year per cat! Assuming that half the stray and feral cats brought to the shelter were females, 2,160 extra cats could be roaming our streets within a year. TNR is critical.
Working Cats
When the Verde Valley Humane Society receives a feral cat brought in by an animal control officer, we hold the cat for evaluation. If the cat is healthy, it’s taken to a local vet to be vaccinated and spayed/neutered. The cat gets its ear-tipped for easy identification to prevent needless trapping and surgery. After recovery from surgery, we release it as a working cat (a barn cat or to a local winery for rodent control). See qualifications for obtaining Working Cats
Feral and Stray Cat Colonies
Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) is a program by which feral cats are trapped, spayed or neutered, and then released back into their colonies. Rather than immediately reducing numbers through removal, TNR practitioners hope to reduce populations over time.
How To Help
Verde Valley Humane’s TNR program provides public health benefits to our community.
Your assistance will help stray and feral cats live healthier and more peaceful lives. Studies have found that stresses associated with mating, and nuisance behaviors like yowling, marking and fighting, are greatly reduced after spay/neuter. These cats also tend to roam less which is keeps them safer. Colonies become quieter, cats become better neighbors, calls to authorities decrease and community members feel more at ease.
All cats deserve to live long healthy and humane lives. Make a difference and save lives by supporting our TNR programs. For more information, to donate, or to volunteer call 928.634.7387. Please consider donating or volunteering to help our TNR program.