Kathleen Maurice

Ms. Hughes
English 1102
08 March 2016
Benefits of Trap-Neuter-Release Programs
When you hear the word tomcat, your mind probably leaps to that beloved character
Thomas the cat from the Tom and Jerry cartoons or maybe even that occasional sly feline that
slinks around the backyards in the local neighborhood. Regardless, of your most fondest
childhood memories of the feline persuasion, some people cherish their cat as a most valued
companion while others view them as nothing more than a nuisance to grace this earth. But, no

Shughes Hughes 3/29/2016 3:23 PM

Comment [1]: Avoid rhetorical questions.
Instead narrate to us what were probably
thinking.
Shughes Hughes 3/29/2016 3:27 PM
Deleted: one had seen slinking
Shughes Hughes 3/29/2016 3:27 PM
Deleted: their

matter your belief, the controversies over how to control the ever-growing number of feral cats
across the country continues to be an ongoing issue. There has been much evidence to support
that local communities have benefited greatly in the areas of cat population control, quality of
life, and relief for local shelters where Trap-Neuter-Release programs have been implemented
while their Trap-and-Kill counterpart programs have had minimal impact.
To begin, one must understand how a cat becomes labeled as feral. A feral cat is a feline
who has reverted back to its wild state. That is, even though a cat may have at one time or
another resided in a domestic household, therefore being classified as domesticated, the cat may
have been abandoned or lost forcing it to revert back to hunting or dumpster diving for its own
food source for survival resulting in little to no human contact which ultimately returns them to a
wild or feral nature. Another way a cat is labeled a feral is if they are raised from birth in the
free roaming state of being wild with little or no human interaction before the age of three
months where everything they have learned up until that point has been through natural instinct

Shughes Hughes 3/29/2016 8:13 PM

Comment [2]: This feels like a roadmap
thesis, reminiscent of the five-paragraph
essay. Thesis statements should simply
articulate your argument in a nuanced way
rather than forecasting the main points of
your paper. More importantly, however, the
purpose of this essay is not to simply build
up your argument (i.e. that TNR programs
are beneficial). It is to criticize the claims of
the opposing side. See end note for details.

Maurice 2
or more likely from its feral mother based on her own experiences with humans and other
animals be they domestic or wild. This is not to say that older feral cats cannot be domesticated,
but its more likely the exception rather than the rule (Whats a Feral Cat?).
Additionally, one of the major benefits of Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) is the programs
ability to control the feline colony population growth in a community through sterilization. For
example, the article A Closer Look at Community Cats states, TNR helps stabilize the
population of community colonies and, over time, reduces them. As a volunteer colony
caretaker myself I can attest to this very statement. Our family has been taking care of a feral cat
colony since 2011. We started out with three feral kittens, which grew to nine in the spring of
2012 with the addition of five new kittens and an adult local Tom Cat. The spring of 2013
brought a new litter of four surviving kittens and after much searching on the internet we were
finally able to make contact with our local DuPage county Feral Fixers TNR organization. Along
with their guidance we started implementing the TNR program to control our feral colony, which
took a total of three months to complete ending in the summer of 2013. As a result, we
spayed/neutered a total of six adult feral cats plus four kittens and were able to socialize and
domesticate all four of the new 2013 kittens enabling us to place them in loving adoptable
homes. Over the past two springs we have had no additional kittens and have lost some of our
adult feral cats through either natural selection, or they have moved on to other areas, and only
one to poisoning or illness. Current day, our feral colony is down to three remaining adults.
Given this, the proof that the TNR programs really do work can truly be seen in the declining
numbers in our very own colony. As a matter of fact, according to the TNR studies conducted,
on campus, at the University of Florida, in the article Why Trap-Neuter-Return Feral Cats: The
Case for TNR states that, the number of cats on campus declined by sixty-six percent with no

Shughes Hughes 3/29/2016 8:11 PM

Comment [3]: Generally only cite the source
in-text if it adds credibility (i.e. an expert in
the field or a well-known publication).
Shughes Hughes 3/29/2016 8:11 PM
Deleted: according to the article Whats a
Feral Cat?

Maurice 3
new kittens being born after the first four years of operation. Other research, in the same article,
found that A TNR program at the University of Texas A&M neutered one hundred and twentythree cats in its first year, and found no new litters of kittens the following year. Also, Over the
course of the same study, twenty percent of the cats trapped were found to be socialized stray
cats and adopted. Here we see how TNR programs not only helped to control the population
growth in a feral colony but also helped to identify domestic strays and gave them a second
chance at a safer and happy life by placing them with new adopted family.
Another area where feral cats and the local community benefit from TNR programs is the
improvement in the quality of life. For instance, according to the article Why Trap-NeuterReturn Feral Cats: The Case for TNR, studies at the University of Florida, conducted by Dr.
Julie Levy, concluded, that neutering improves feral cats coat condition and helps them gain
weight plus they stray less. Here we see how not only the health and welfare of the cats is
improved but also how the community itself benefits. Since females are no longer able to go into
heat, thereby no longer attracting more Toms into the area, and by the same token males are no
longer fighting other males for mates or territory the community becomes more harmonized
freeing the surrounding neighborhoods from yowling and fighting often associated with mating
pairs, resulting in a much improved quality of life for both feline and man alike. Also, in this
article, Rich Avanzino, the director at San Franciscos SPCA advocates that since spayed
females no longer suffer the rigorous cycles of multiple births or the constant perils of defending
their young, improves the felines overall health. The same can be said, according to Dr. Levy, for
the neutered males since they will no longer have the incessant call to nature to procreate they
are more likely to become more affectionate toward not only the group but also to their
caretakers. In fact, in my experience, I have found this to be true with all of the males in our feral

Maurice 4
colony. In truth, all of the males in our feral colony are more receptive to both morning and
afternoon ear rubbings and the occasional petting compared to their female counterparts who are
still very leery of being touched with the exception of one in the overall group. The only
disadvantage we have seen with the males more passive nature is that when confronted by a new
Tom Cat, who ventures into the group, the neutered male has a tendency to be at greater risk to
injury since they seem to loose their natural aggressive edge after being sterilized. Dr. Levys
studies of the TNR programs has also determined that cats have benefited greatly from these
programs by saying, Theyre vaccinated, so theyre less susceptible to infectious diseases. As a
result, not only does this make the quality of life a win-win for the cats but also for the
community as a whole by protecting the very environment in which they both live an thrive in.
Furthermore, local animal shelters garner much needed relief where TNR programs have
been adopted. For example, the article Trap-Neuter-Return: TNR for Cats states that, TNR
reduces shelter admissions and operating costs. Also, fewer community cats in shelters increase
shelter adoption rates, as more cage space opens up for adoptable cats. The math here is simple
to see, if other TNR feral cat communities are as successful as my own familys has been, over
the past five years, is easy to see how shelters can better their adoption success and reduce the
costly and wasteful loss of lives of those cats who are euthanized due to over crowding. Not to
mention, TNR, volunteers know they are making a difference in the lives of the animals, and
the community is benefiting from their charitable efforts. Also, the satisfaction a volunteer
shelter worker feels when one of their very own is finally lucky enough to be adopted, freeing
them from their solitary caged life of existence. I can surely attest to that. After we raised two
kittens, from the age of four weeks, and the others, at three months old, in order to give them a
chance at a safer and brighter future with a loving family, there is no better feeling of

Maurice 5
accomplishment. Especially when one knows that they saved them from the fated existence as a
feral whos life is filled with predators and weather extremes such as rain, heat, cold, and snow.
In spite of the success TNR programs have had in stabilizing cat population growth,
many communities continue to use Trap-and-Kill methods to control the free-roaming cat
populations. The reason for this can be simply explained best in the article, Pros and Cons of
the Trap, Neuter, Release Program for Feral Cats by Dr. Janice Huntingford. Huntingford
believes the reason why many municipalities tend to implement Trap-and-Kill programs is
because TNR programs do not take the cats off the streets permanently. In fact, TNR programs
tend to be a permanent fixture once they exist because pet cats do escape and people do still
abandon them. For this reason alone, Huntingford says that, Some wildlife advocates also
believe that feral cat colonies are to blame for a reduction in the local bird and wildlife. Here we
see why Trap-and-Kill methods are the preferred choice since the existence of the feral colonies,
even controlled ones through TNR, can still pose a threat to the environment. Many proponents
support the Trap-and-Kill method because they believe that euthanizing a feral cat colony is not
only humane but also a proficient way to address this on going issue. The problem with this
method is that it is simply the least effective approach to addressing this on going matter. For
instance, according to the Humane Society of the Ochocos in Oregon, in the article Why TrapNeuter-Return Feral Cats: The Case for TNR, states that, more than 30 years of trapping and
killing cats has done nothing to reduce the feral cat population. The reason for this is because of
a scientific phenomenon known as the vacuum effect. The article Trap-Neuter-Return: TNR for
Cats describes this best, [The] carrying capacity is determined by the availability of food
sources, water, shelter an other necessities. When a portion of the sustainable population is
removed (e.g., by trapping and killing them) and the availability of resources is unaltered, the

Maurice 6
remaining animals respond through increased birthing and higher survivability rates. As a result
it is easy to see how the vacuum effect creates nothing more than this never-ending perpetual
cycle of senseless killing. While Trap-and-Kill may be an immediate fix to the problem this
method is by no means an effective long-term solution. Not to mention the least palatable among
the masses.
Overall, cats are one of the most misunderstood pets, be they feral or domestic. But one
thing is for certain given their great numbers they are here to stay. So we can choose to treat
them in the most humane way possible by embracing the positive effects TNR programs have
had in the areas of cat population control, quality of life, and relief for local shelters or continue
the practice of Trap-and-Kill with little in the way of results. But one thing, no one can refute, is
that irresponsible pet owners are ultimately to blame for creating this enormous problem making
human intervention a necessity in helping these majestic creatures in the most humanely way
possible.

Kathleen
This essay is articulate and detailed, and has a clever introduction. While theres much to say on
this topic and youve already identified some strong evidence, this is a traditional argumentative
essay, not an evaluative essay, and therefore does not meet the assignment guidelines. Please
review the PowerPoint on Blackboard and talk to me if you have any questions.
Heres my feedback for your final draft:
An evaluative essay focuses on breaking down and invalidating the opposing argument. So,
you want to break down the argument that opponents of TNR make. To do this, youre going
to need to understand exactly what they argue by researching it and then quoting them
directly. I did a quick Google search (for arguments against trap neuter release) and found
plenty of articles on the controversy surrounding TNR
(https://www.avma.org/News/Journals/Collections/Documents/javma_225_9_1365.pdf,
http://www.urbanwildlands.org/Resources/2009LongcoreetalConBio.pdf, and so on).
In each paragraph that you present that claim (again, quoted) from the opposing argument,
you will respond to it with thorough, researched evidence of your own. So, if opponents
argue that TNR advocates dont understand wildlife sciences and therefore minimize

Maurice 7

concerns regarding the ecologic, domestic animal and public health, legal, humane, and
social nuisance impacts of feral cats, including those in TNR programs, you need to criticize
that reasoning and explain why its misguidedciting evidence to support your claims
(https://www.avma.org/News/Journals/Collections/Documents/javma_225_9_1365.pdf).
You asked for feedback on grammar. Because this essay is going to see such a thorough
revision, Id be happy to take a look at your grammar once youre ready to submit the final
draft. Also, do check that the Writing Center does not help with grammar. I actually believe
they do.

If you have any questions as you revise, please dont hesitate to contact me. I look forward to
reading your final draft!

Maurice 8
Works Cited
"A Closer Look at Community Cats." ASPCA. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2016.
Oldham, Jesse. "Who Benefits from TNR?" ASPCA Professional. N.p., 5 July 2011. Web. 27
Feb. 2016.
Huntingford, Janice. "Pro's and Con's of the Trap, Neuter, Release Program for Feral Cats | Pet
Wellbeing." Pet Wellbeing Pros and Cons of the Trap Neuter Release Program for Feral
Cats Comments. N.p., 25 Sept. 2009. Web. 27 Feb. 2016.
"The Pros and Cons of Trap-Neuter-Release Approach | PetMeds Cares." PetMeds Cares. N.p.,
25 Nov. 2011. Web. 27 Feb. 2016.
"Trap-Neuter-Return: TNR for Cats." Best Friends Save Them All. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2016.
"What Is a Feral Cat?" Neighborhood Cats /. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2016.
"Why Trap-Neuter-Return Feral Cats: The Case for TNR." Why Trap-Neuter-Return Feral Cats?
The Case for TNR. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2016.