Trap-Neuter-Return in Bensalem Township: What You Need to Know
Whether you love or loathe feral cats, Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the only method of effectively and humanely stabilizing their numbers and decreasing their populations over time. This fact has been proven in scientific analyses of TNR programs implemented in communities large and small throughout America and around the world. TNR also works to reduce most cat-related nuisances, subsequently improving the cats' relationships with the people who live and work near them. TNR poses no threat to public health or safety, and keeps rodent control in place.
These are just some of the reasons that Bensalem Township authorities and partners endorse Trap-Neuter-Return as the primary solution to addressing stray and feral cat colonies within our community. In fact, we prefer to use the term "community" cats. Like us, our community is where these cats reside. It is their home. While we may view a life outdoors as less than ideal, it is the only life that these cats know.
The concept of community also bears a deeper meaning when considering Bensalem's cat populations. These colonies have been created by the community in which they exist. Wild, outdoor cats are ultimately descendants of former pets that were dumped or abandoned by irresponsible owners - left to fend for themselves and multiply. Our community is not only the cause of this problem, however. Through spaying and neutering our pets and supporting the Township's TNR efforts, our community is also the solution.
Bensalem law and public safety enforcement and animal control officers, with the support of Women's Animal Center, as well as dedicated citizens and volunteers, are working to control and reduce our community cat colonies through TNR. Through the process of Trap-Neuter-Return, community cats are humanely trapped and brought to a veterinarian where they are scanned for a microchip and medically evaluated. If a cat is determined to be friendly with humans and more suited to a home environment, that animal is placed into foster care or put up for adoption. If a cat is found to be feral, or unsocialized and fearful of people, that animal is spayed or neutered and vaccinated. While under sedation, approximately a quarter of an inch is removed from its left ear. This swift and painless procedure is called eartipping, and is the universal sign of a spayed or neutered community cat. (Making them easily identifiable ensures that valuable resources are not invested in re-trapping already altered animals.) The cat is then returned to its managed colony.
Returning cats to the location in which they were trapped is very important, because the animals are familiar with food, water and shelter resources here. Since cats are territorial, they form strong bonds with their colonies and their outdoor home. Relocating can cause a cat to become disoriented and may place them in grave danger; many will actually attempt to travel back to their old location. Removing the cats from their original location further defeats the purpose of TNR. By removing the cats, you are also eliminating the territorial threat that they pose and, in no time at all, a new colony will take its place. Relocation should only be undertaken as a last resort in cases where the cats' lives are in immediate danger.
These are just some of the reasons that Bensalem Township authorities and partners endorse Trap-Neuter-Return as the primary solution to addressing stray and feral cat colonies within our community. In fact, we prefer to use the term "community" cats. Like us, our community is where these cats reside. It is their home. While we may view a life outdoors as less than ideal, it is the only life that these cats know.
The concept of community also bears a deeper meaning when considering Bensalem's cat populations. These colonies have been created by the community in which they exist. Wild, outdoor cats are ultimately descendants of former pets that were dumped or abandoned by irresponsible owners - left to fend for themselves and multiply. Our community is not only the cause of this problem, however. Through spaying and neutering our pets and supporting the Township's TNR efforts, our community is also the solution.
Bensalem law and public safety enforcement and animal control officers, with the support of Women's Animal Center, as well as dedicated citizens and volunteers, are working to control and reduce our community cat colonies through TNR. Through the process of Trap-Neuter-Return, community cats are humanely trapped and brought to a veterinarian where they are scanned for a microchip and medically evaluated. If a cat is determined to be friendly with humans and more suited to a home environment, that animal is placed into foster care or put up for adoption. If a cat is found to be feral, or unsocialized and fearful of people, that animal is spayed or neutered and vaccinated. While under sedation, approximately a quarter of an inch is removed from its left ear. This swift and painless procedure is called eartipping, and is the universal sign of a spayed or neutered community cat. (Making them easily identifiable ensures that valuable resources are not invested in re-trapping already altered animals.) The cat is then returned to its managed colony.
Returning cats to the location in which they were trapped is very important, because the animals are familiar with food, water and shelter resources here. Since cats are territorial, they form strong bonds with their colonies and their outdoor home. Relocating can cause a cat to become disoriented and may place them in grave danger; many will actually attempt to travel back to their old location. Removing the cats from their original location further defeats the purpose of TNR. By removing the cats, you are also eliminating the territorial threat that they pose and, in no time at all, a new colony will take its place. Relocation should only be undertaken as a last resort in cases where the cats' lives are in immediate danger.