Community Cats & TNR

The Importance of TNR and Supporting Community Cats

What is TNR? Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a humane and effective approach to managing and stabilizing feral and community cat populations. In a TNR program, Feral cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and then returned to their outdoor homes. This method is widely regarded as the most ethical and efficient way to address the challenges associated with unowned feral cats.

Why is TNR Important?

1. Population Control: Spaying and neutering feral cats prevents unwanted litters, reducing the number of kittens born on the streets. A single unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce thousands of kittens in just a few years. TNR is also vital for animal shelters facing overcrowding issues. By stabilizing community cat populations, shelters can reduce the intake of unowned cats, freeing up resources to care for adoptable animals and reducing euthanasia rates

2. Improved Health: Vaccinations provided during TNR  help protect our community from diseases. Also, when cats are spayed or neutered, they are less likely to develop health issues. 

3. Ecological Balance: TNR helps stabilize community cat populations without completely removing them, which can create a vacuum effect where new unaltered cats move in. A stable, healthy cat colony can deter other wildlife from overpopulating certain areas.

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Becoming a Community Cat Caregiver: A Guide

Supporting community cats helps manage feral populations and improve their lives.  SFAHS provides permits as outlined in the Sioux Falls City Ordinance, for financial and trapping assistance please contact Sioux Empire TNR Coalition (SETNRC).

Who qualifies as a Community Cat Caregiver? According to the Sioux Falls City Animal Ordinance Chapter 90, the following definitions apply: Community Cat Caregiver:  An individual approved by the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society to provide care without being considered their owner. Food, shelter, and medical attention, for feral community cats  Community Cat: A feral cat that lives outdoors, is unsocialized, wary of humans, and not considered a pet. Ear-Tipping: The removal of a 1/4-inch tip of a community cat’s ear while under anesthesia to signify sterilization and vaccination. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR): The humane process of trapping, sterilizing, vaccinating, ear-tipping, microchipping, and returning a feral cat to its colony.

How to Get Approved

To become a Community Cat Caregiver in Sioux Falls, follow these steps:

1. Application: Complete the Community Cat Caregiver application through the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society. There is a  yearly $35 +tax  non-refundable application fee.

2. Site Visit: A SFAHS Humane Officer will conduct a site visit to inspect the area where you intend to care for community cats.

3. Approval: After confirming that the site is suitable and you can meet caregiving responsibilities, you will receive official approval.

4. Begin Trapping :  Contact Sioux Empire TNR for assistance in trapping, sterilizing, and care. 

5. Ongoing Inspections:  SFAHS Humane Officers may conduct follow-up inspections to ensure continued compliance. *You must renew this application yearly, along with yearly inspections*

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Responsibilities of a Community Cat Caregiver

1. Food and Water: Provide fresh food and potable water daily. Use durable bowls and clean them regularly or disposable serving trays for quick clean-up Remove uneaten food within 30 minutes to prevent attracting other animals or pests 2. Shelter: Ensure shelters are waterproof, windproof, and elevated. Insulated houses are ideal Use straw for bedding, never blankets or fabric 3. Cleanliness: Maintain a clean feeding and shelter area. Dispose of trash and clean up regularly.

4. Health Monitoring: Watch for signs of illness or injury, such as changes in behavior, weight loss, or limping. Consult a veterinarian as needed for medical care. 5. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR): Ensure all cats in your colony are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped, and microchipped.  Your permit is eligible for revocation if you are not actively working towards controlling the population of your colony, colonies cannot exceed 15 cats.

 

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Financial and Trapping Assistance- Sioux Empire TNR Coalition offers financial support and trapping assistance to approved caregivers:

• Financial Assistance: Help with costs for spaying/neutering, ear-tipping, vaccinations, and microchipping.

• Trapping Assistance: Guidance and loan of humane traps to safely capture community cats

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Important Notes

• Community cats identified through ear-tipping and microchips will not be impounded solely for being at large. Community members who see tipped-ear cats should leave them alone and not call them into animal control. They belong outside! 

• Community cat's  microchips will be registered to the community cat caregiver solely for the purpose of identifying the area in which the animal belongs and to contact should any emergent situation arise with a community cat from their colony, it does not designate true ownership.

• If a community cat is impounded, the caregiver will be contacted to retrieve it. In cases of severe injury or illness, the Humane Society may humanely euthanize the cat to prevent suffering.

• Caregivers will be required to provide microchip numbers and descriptions of the animals to SFAHS and keep records up to date  to ensure the population is well-managed

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Join the Community Cat Care Movement

Becoming a Community Cat Caregiver not only helps stabilize local cat populations but also contributes to a healthier and more harmonious community. Contact the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society to start your application and make a positive difference in the lives of community cats today.