Communities across the country are participating in TNR as the most humane approach to addressing overpopulation in outdoor cats. By fixing cats and returning them to their outdoor homes, TNR improves the lives of cats, addresses community concerns, reduces complaints about cats, and stops the breeding cycle. TNR is a simple, effective way to help save the lives of outdoor cats everywhere.

What is a Community Cat?

​The “community cat” title includes any outdoor cat whether the cat is feral, friendly, born into the wild, and even lost or abandoned pet cats. Some community cats are routinely fed by one or more community members, while others survive without human intervention. Whatever a cat's individual circumstances, the term "community cat" reflects the reality that for these cats, "home" is within the community rather than in an individual household. These cats have found a source of food and shelter just as other wild animals have. Many experts now believe the best option for these cats is TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), returning these cats to their neighborhoods, unless serious problems are documented.

What is TNR?

TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Return which describes a program in which community cats are humanely trapped, brought to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated against rabies, and ear-tipped, and then returned to their outdoor homes. TNR helps community cats by relieving them of the stresses of mating and breeding, and protecting them from diseases.

There are multiple options for finding low cost spay and neuter for community cats in central and south Mississippi: 

• Southern Pines Healthy Pet Clinic
• The Big Fix Clinic
• HSSM’s Louise Fenner Claiborne Spay Neuter Clinic
• Spay Neuter Impact Project (SNIPMS)

Why is TNR important?

• Lost cats are significantly more likely to be reunited with their owner when returned to the community instead of the shelter. In our community, the cat reclaim-rate is lower than 1% while lost cats are generally 13 times more likely to be reunited with their owners by non-shelter means. A staggering 60% of lost cats return home on their own if left in the community where they are found.
  
• No more surprise litters of kittens! Once cats are spayed and neutered, unwanted mating behaviors like yowling, spraying, and fighting will end, too.
• Cats are vaccinated against rabies which can help reduce the spread of disease throughout all animals in the community.
• Returning fixed community cats to their colony helps to stop new, unfixed cats from moving into the area.

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More Questions About Community Cats?

HOW CAN I PREVENT COMMUNITY CATS FROM HANGING AROUND MY PROPERTY?

There are many safe, humane ways to deter community cats from your property. Keep reading to see our "Simple Solution for Unwanted Cat Behavior or check out this helpful article from the Humane Society of the United States to learn more. ​

what is ear-tipping?

Ear-tipping is the humane, safe surgical removal of the top quarter-inch of the left ear which occurs during the spay/neuter surgery. Ear-tipping is a widely accepted means of marking a community cat who has been spayed or neutered. It also often identifies them as being part of a colony with a caretaker.

How did community cats find their way to my property?

There are millions of outdoor cats in the United States, so chances are you will encounter at least a few in your lifetime. The likely answer for a cat’s arrival is that there are resources nearby that make your property and the surrounding area appealing to that cat or colony of cats. Many community cats have adapted to living in many different environments, including most types of urban and rural areas.

Why can’t I bring community cats to Southern Pines?

• In the past, community cats have entered our shelter almost daily. It is required by state law for each of these animals to be treated as "strays" and held for possible reclaim by an owner. In our community, the cat reclaim-rate is lower than 1% while lost cats are generally 13 times more likely to be reunited with their owners by non-shelter means. A staggering 60% of lost cats return home on their own if left in the community where they are found. This change in policy will hopefully result in more cats finding their way home without shelter intervention.
• Historically Southern Pines has taken in community cats from anywhere within the state of Mississippi which has resulted in increasing our cat intake annually. Overpopulation of cats within a shelter can have detrimental effects on the health of each of the cats in that shelter’s care. Often, cats being housed in overcrowded cottages leads to stress-induced illness which can, unfortunately, be fatal in cats. Southern Pines Animal Shelter is dedicated to saving the lives of as many animals as possible through non-lethal means but we are unable to achieve that goal if we are taking in more cats than we can reasonably provide adequate care.
• Beginning January 1, 2019 Southern Pines Animal Shelter will no longer be accepting outdoor stray, community, or feral cats from outside of our contract areas. We understand that this policy change may seem extreme or sudden so we want to be transparent and provide more information regarding the reasons for our change in policy and the potential positive effects this change could have on our shelter and our communities. Please read through the following FAQ regarding this change and feel free to reach out to our surrender counselor for more information about trap-neuter-return (TNR), resources in your community, or to get some clarification on our new policies in regards to specific circumstances. 

What are some alternatives to surrender?

The best alternative to surrendering community cats is to participate in a “trap-neuter-return” program, often shortened to TNR. This option means to spay/neuter and vaccinate healthy cats and then return them to the location where they were found. A cat is in good condition means that it already has a "home" in the community and is likely to continue to do well if it is returned to that home. Spay/neuter and vaccination improves the health and welfare of cats and reduces problematic behaviors such as fighting, vocalizing and of course, reproducing. The Southern Pines Healthy Pet Clinic provides low-cost spay and neuter services and vaccinations and can walk you through the TNR process, even offering traps to rent if needed.

what about kittens found outdoors?

While adult cats can thrive in the community, kittens are less likely to survive. TNR programs will help to decrease the number of kittens reproducing in the community but we understand this change will occur over time. However, by eliminating intake of adult community cats, we will be able to prioritize intake of kittens to give them the best chance at survival and finding a home. We will still offer foster-to-surrender options for young kittens as well as schedule appointments to take kittens in from all surrounding communities and do our absolute best to find each kitten a suitable home.

​Is there someone else who can help me?

There are a limited number of animal welfare organizations in the state of Mississippi and a lot of communities who really need more resources. We highly recommend researching other shelters in your area to see if there are options locally. However, if you do not have resources in your area we strongly recommend calling, emailing, or sending a letter to your city’s council or the board of supervisors in your county to let them know that you see a need for more resources in the area of animal welfare. The only way to improve the situation for animals in our state is to insist that change take place and to insist that more resources be allocated for animal welfare. Below is a list of nearby counties and contact information for their local Board of Supervisors.

Lamar County Board of Supervisors
601-794-3408
P.O. Box 1240
Purvis, MS 39475
Website

Perry County Board of Supervisors
601-964-8370
PO Box 345
New Augusta, MS 39462

Covington County Board of Supervisors
601-765-8605
PO Box 1679
Collins MS 39428
[email protected]
Website

Jefferson Davis County Board of Supervisors
601-792-4336
P.O. Box 1317
Prentiss, MS 39474
[email protected]
Website

Marion County Board of Supervisors
601-736-7382
215 Broad Street
Columbia, MS 39429
​Website

Jones County Board of Supervisors
601-428-3139
PO Box 1468
Laurel, MS 39441
​Website

Wayne County Board of Supervisors
(601) 735-6225
610 Azalea Drive
Waynesboro, MS 39367
​Website

​Simple Solutions for Unwanted Cat Behaviors

While TNR helps to reduce the most commonly unwanted natural cat behaviors like reproducing, fighting, and spraying, there are other natural behaviors that can be disruptive. Thankfully there are multiple simple, safe, and effective solutions for deterring unwanted behaviors in outdoor cats.

CATS ARE YOWLING, FIGHTING, SPRAYING, AND HAVING KITTENS

Yowling, fighting, spraying, roaming, and having kittens are all normal mating behaviors displayed by cats who have not been spayed or neutered. Cats are prolific breeders that can begin reproducing as young as 4-months-old and will have multiple litters of kittens each year if left unfixed.

• Spaying or neutering and vaccinating cats will stop these behaviors. Please reach out to your local animal shelter or animal care organization for information about TNR (trap, neuter, return) programs in your area, or visit the Southern Pines Healthy Pet Clinic  which provides low-cost spay and neuter services and vaccinations and can walk you through the TNR process, even offering traps to rent if needed.
• ​To combat residual urine smells, thoroughly spray the area with white vinegar or other nontoxic urine-neutralizing products. ​

​THERE ARE PAWPRINTS ON MY CAR

Cats feel safest and most comfortable when perched on higher areas. The tops and hoods of cars are also warmed by the sun and car engine which may make them extra appealing. 

• Purchase a vehicle cover.
• Be sure that the feeding area is not near a carport, garage, or area where vehicles are typically parked.
• Scatter other nontoxic deterrents like citrus peels, coffee grounds, and vinegar around areas where vehicles are parked. There are other nontoxic cat deterrent products such as repellent sprays and granules.

CATS ARE DIGGING IN MY GARDEN OR YARD

Cats have the natural instinct to scratch, dig, and use the bathroom in loose soil, mulch, moss, or sand. Cats also enjoy curling up in small spaces like pots and planters.

• Scatter fresh citrus peels, coffee grounds, vinegar, tobacco, or oils of lavender, eucalyptus, citronella, or citrus along edge and throughout garden beds. There are other nontoxic cat deterrent products such as repellent sprays and granules.
• Slightly bury cat scat mats, plastic carpet runners spike-side up, or chicken wire. Sticking metal spoons prong-up in high traffic areas can also help; they can often be purchased at thrift stores or dollar stores for cheap.
• Arrange wooden or plastic lattice fencing, gravel, or larger river rocks around established plants and garden beds.

CATS ARE LOUNGING IN MY YARD OR ON MY PORCH​

Cats are territorial and will often stay close to a food source.

• Apply oils of lavender, eucalyptus, citronella, or citrus along edge of yard and porch. There are other nontoxic cat deterrent products such as repellent sprays and granules.​
• Consider installing a motion-activated water sprinkler.
• Check with the neighbors to find out if and where they are feeding the cats. If cats are being fed near your property, consider asking neighbors to move the feeding station.
• If there is not a neighbor currently responsible for feeding them, consider feeding the cats yourself. This will allow you to better control where and when the cats eat. Be sure to remove any food not eaten within 30 minutes to prevent attracting bugs and other critters.

CATS ARE SLEEPING UNDER MY SHED OR PORCH​

Cats are looking for a warm, dry shelter away from inclement weather.

• Block or seal the cat's entrance with chicken wire or plastic or wooden lattice. Be sure to check that all cats and kittens are out of the area before blocking it off, especially during spring and summer when most kittens are born. 
• Provide an alternative shelter such as a small plastic dog house or even a DIY plastic tub shelter. 
• If there is another neighbor or community member caring for the cats, ask them to move existing shelters or provide additional to help redirect cats away from your property.

​CAT FOOD IS ATTRACTING INSECTS AND WILDLIFE

If cats are being overfed or leftover food is not removed, it can attract insects and other critters.

• Be sure to feed cats at the same time each day, during daylight hours when nocturnal animals are hiding. 
• Cats should be fed enough food that they can eat it all within a 15-30 minute timeframe. If cats are being fed by multiple people or in multiple locations, be sure to coordinate with neighbors to make sure cats aren't being overfed and that feeding stations are in easily cleaned locations.
• Consider purchasing or making bowls and feeding stations that are designed to be ant-proof. ​

CATS ARE GETTING INTO MY TRASH

.Cats are scavengers and will search for food if its not readily available.

• Place a tight lid on your trash can or consider putting your trash cans in a storage shed. This will help deter cats and other wildlife like raccoons and possums. 
• ​Check with the neighbors to find out if they are feeding the cats. Cats who are fed on an irregular schedule are more likely to scavenge.
• ​​If there is not a neighbor currently responsible for feeding them, consider feeding the cats yourself. This will allow you to better control where and when the cats eat. Be sure to remove any food not eaten within 30 minutes to prevent attracting bugs and other critters.

Cold Weather Solutions for Community Cats

• Winter Weather Tips for Community Cats (Alley Cat Allies)
​• How to Make a Community Cat Winter Shelter (Alley Cat Allies)
​• How To Make a Community Cat Shelter (Video)

For more information about TNR on a national level, check out the following organizations:

• Alley Cat Allies - How to Live with Cats in Your Neighborhood
• Alley Cat Allies - Best Practices: Community Cat and Colony Care
• Million Cat Challenge
• ASPCA