ADOPT

Help!  There are cats everywhere… What can I do?

Community cats have been a part of our landscape for a very long time, providing rodent control for much of our history.  Whether you love or hate cats they are a part of the landscape and most of us would like fewer, healthier cats in our neighborhoods.

So how do I get there?

TVNR (trap, vaccinate, spay/neuter and return) has been proven the best way to reduce the community cat numbers and increase population health.  This is where we trap cats and take them to low-cost clinics to get fixed, core vaccinations and an ear tipped and then release them back to where they were found.   







This process is more effective if we concentrate on one group of cats at a time because at least 75% of cats in a colony must be fixed to control the population. This is why we want to work with folks in the community that can keep an eye on the colony for long-term success.










What about just removing/rehoming them?

Removing cats from their outdoor home creates a vacuum. The Vacuum Effect has been documented worldwide in many species. While this may temporarily reduce the number of community cats near you, it is ultimately counterproductive, as the population of cats rebounds.  Unsterilized cats continue to breed and other cats move into the newly available territory to take advantage of the resources that sustained the original cats. 

Shooting or poisoning cats also triggers the Vacuum Effect and can cause legal problems with your neighbors if the cat happens to be their owned indoor/outdoor cat.

Most cats that grow up outdoors do not adapt well to an inside life.  They. also, do not generally adapt well when dropped into a new unfamiliar environment.  We do, however, take young kittens that can be socialized and put them in our Foster Program to be cared for and adopted into loving homes.

I’m overwhelmed who can help?

Stevens County Animal Outreach (SCAO) has a TVNR program. We loan traps and help teach trapping tips and techniques.  We can provide connections, help you set up the low-cost TNVR vet clinic appointments and may be able to help with transportation.  SCAO also has a TVNR budget to help offset costs.  We have fosters, if needed, to care for the cats post-op to ensure their recovery before being released back into the colony.


Other trap lenders/renters:

Stevens County Cat Care (loans traps)
Colville Valley Animal Sanctuary (rents traps)

Low cost TVNR Clinics:

SpokAnimal (509) 534-4253 (Monday - Wednesday -animals must be in traps)
Northeast Washington Spay/ Neuter Alliance (NEWSNA – (253)242-3031 text preferred)
Pet Savers (509) 924-7826
Stevens County Cat Care (509) 935-6369
Colville Valley Animal Sanctuary (509)684-1475