Feral Cat Programs, also known as "trap/neuter/release" programs, have been proven to be the most effective and humane way to manage stray cats. WIN implements these programs wherever a known feral population exists. First, we capture the cat using a humane “have-a-heart trap”. The cat is then given a complete veterinary examination, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and then released back to the area it was taken from. They are then provided food on a daily basis.
Studies show that these programs consistently reduce cat populations over time, while eradication programs actually create a vacuum effect that leads to expanding populations.
Other benefits of a Feral Cat Program include healthier animals, the elimination of potential disease vectors from cats to humans or other animals, the reduction of fights over territory and limited food source, and elimination of loud mating calls and strong-smelling urine spraying. Finally, cats prefer to hunt introduced “pest” species (mice, rats, pigeons, etc.), which makes them a good, non-toxic solution to pest control.
