TNVR

TNVR stands for Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return. It is a humane, nonlethal alternative to the old trap-and-kill method of managing feral and free-roaming community cat populations. Cats are humanely trapped, medically evaluated, vaccinated, spayed/neutered by a licensed veterinarian, ear-tipped, and then released back to their environment to live out their lives.

All community cats — whether they are considered stray, feral, or just free-roaming — are caught in humane cat traps, medically evaluated, spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian, and then returned to their original outdoor homes. Returning cats to the location where they were trapped is very important because the cats will be familiar with food and water sources, as well as available shelter. Again, this is their outdoor home.

T.N.V.R. SERVICES

Lollypop Farm does not currently provide TNVR services to caretakers. For more information on spay/neuter for community cats, contact a full-service veterinarian or connect with a local community cat group or rescue group.

Here are some additional resources, if you are still searching for a T.N.V.R. program.

Rochester Community Animal Clinic TNVR Clinic
985 Bay Street, Rochester, NY 14609
(585) 288-0600
www.rochestercommunityanimalclinic.com

Habitat for Cats TNVR Assistance Program *Monroe County Residents Only
P.O. Box 25637, Rochester, NY 14625
(585) 234-2894
www.habitatforcats.com

Colony Caregivers TNVR Assistance Program *Ontario County Residents Only
P.O. Box 12, Shortsville, NY 14548
(585) 289-6353
www.thecolonycaregivers.org

19th Ward Community Cats TNR Assistance Program *19th Ward Residents Only
www.location19.org/group/feralcatgroup

Feral Cat Focus of WNY Spay/Neuter Feral Friendly Vets *Buffalo & Western NY Region
www.Feralcatfocus.org

CNY Cat Coalition TNVR Clinic *Ferals/Strays/Barn Cats
(315) 420-7729
www.cnycatcoalition.org

SPCA Tompkins County TNVR Clinic
1640 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 257-1822 ext. 244
www.spcaonline.com

Why T.N.V.R.?

Research proves cat populations will reduce and stabilize over time by ending the reproduction cycle.
TNVR vaccinates cats against disease and allows them to have longer, healthier lives without producing litter after litter of kittens
Mating behaviors like roaming, yowling, spraying, and fighting are reduced, allowing cats to be better neighbors to their caretakers.
It protects cats’ lives. Feral cats cannot live with people and are not adoptable through shelters.

Community T.N.V.R. Services

Operation Pets
Encompass Animal Care and Health
Feral Cat Focus of WNY
Shelter Outreach Services
Humane Society of Yates County
Barn Cat Outreach of WNY
Finger Lakes SPCA
Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York
Hornell Area Humane Society

What is the difference between a Feral Cat and a Stray Cat?

A feral cat is an unsocialized outdoor cat who has either never had any physical contact with humans, or human contact has diminished enough over time that they are no longer accustomed to it. Most feral cats are fearful of people and can’t become a lap cat or live indoors. Feral cats thrive outdoors, and while they are adept at finding their own meals, when human caregivers regularly feed them, they can live healthier lives. And are not reliant on people directly feeding them. They are adept at finding their own meals, from the leftovers people discard to food sources in their natural environment. Sometimes, these independent cats may have human caregivers who regularly feed them.

A stray cat is generally a pet that has been lost from a family that is missing them or potentially abandoned. Stray cats are socialized to people, though some might be wary of humans they encounter outside. They are considered to be owned by a family and have been separated from them.

Community cat is a term used to describe outdoor, unowned, free-roaming cats. These cats can be friendly or feral and may or may not have a caretaker. A caretaker is a person who conducts TNRM and provides care to a community cat but does not consider themselves the owner. By this definition, the only outdoor free-roaming cats, not community cats, are those with an owner.

Visit Alley Cat Allies for more information about maintaining and caring for community cats.

T.N.V.R. FAQs

What is a Community Cat?

“Community Cats” is a term used to describe outdoor, unowned, free-roaming cats. These cats could be friendly, feral, adults, kittens, healthy, sick, altered, and/or unaltered. They may or may not have a caregiver. By this definition, the only outdoor free-roaming cats, not community cats, are those with an owner.
Abandoned – An abandoned cat is an unowned cat living outdoors after previously having a home.
Free roaming – A free-roaming cat is defined as a cat living outdoors at least part of the time. This may be a pet cat that is allowed to spend time outdoors, a lost or abandoned owned cat, a tame unowned cat, or a feral cat.
Feral – A feral cat is an unowned domestic cat that lives outdoors and avoids human contact: it does not allow itself to be handled or touched and usually remains hidden from humans.
What is a Feral Cat Colony?

When several feral cats group together in a specific space they become a colony. Colonies are all over the Greater Rochester area and can be in backyards, behind restaurants, on college campuses, and in neighborhoods. Feral cats gather where there is a food source and some kind of shelter. Feral cats in a colony will continue to breed with one another and the population will continue to grow.
Are Feral Cats Dangerous to Humans?

Feral cats are usually very afraid of people and will not come close or harm you. You can tell that a cat is feral by that very characteristic. Feral cats will not come up to you seeking attention. If they have no escape route and are cornered, they can be aggressive.
What about Stray Cats?

A stray or “unowned” cat may end up living among a feral colony. A stray cat is one that has had the opportunity to interact with humans regularly but is now no longer owned and cared for.
What is TNVR?

TNVR is a program where feral cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped, and then returned to their “home.” Research proves that cat populations will reduce and stabilize over time by ending the cycle of reproduction. In our program, the cats are returned when there is a “colony caretaker” who has agreed to provide the cats with food, water, shelter and health care. They are brought to Lollypop Farm, spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies, and ear-tipped (a small piece from the tip of their ear is removed during surgery) to signal that they have been sterilized. The cats are then returned to their colony.
Why is it so important to Spay/Neuter Cats?

There are many benefits to spay and neuter. First and foremost, we need to combat the influx of homeless cats into the shelter. Spay/neuter will also decrease mating behavior like yowling, roaming, and spraying!
Do you ever euthanize the Cats?

Every cat and situation is considered on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes, feral cats are very ill and we believe that it is better for them to be humanely euthanized than to continue to suffer.
Why can't Lollypop Farm just take the Cats in and put them up for adoption?

In some cases, we can tell if a cat has had a significant amount of interaction with humans or if they are young enough to be socialized, the cats may be suitable to be considered for adoption. However, most feral cats have not had the socialization they need to interact with humans safely. They can be dangerous and it is very, very difficult to socialize them to people, not to mention very stressful for the cats. In these cases, the most humane approach is to support feral cats in their current living area.

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