TNR Opinion - It is time we fix the problem.

A letter to the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies and Dr. Kovich with the State Vets Office. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Lynchburg Humane Society,  I would like to voice our support for TNR programs here in Virginia.   I have been in this field for almost 13 years and I have worked in a high intake, high kill shelter and a number of no kill shelters.  Currently I am the executive director of The Lynchburg Humane Society,  the pound for the City of Lynchburg  with a current save rate of 94%

What I find very interesting about those opposing the TNR (trap,neuter, return) programs is that their arguments don't make sense.  From my perspective it comes down to one thing.  The "old" way of handling these community or feral cats have been in operation now for over two decades and we still have a problem.  They have had two decades of the old way of scooping up the cats and killing them but we still have a huge cat problem.  So even if they don't want the cats killing the birds or causing illness or think it is inhumane; the cats are still out there and they are still reproducing and their way isn't working.  If anything it has gotten worse.

Why not try a different way? 

TNR has been tested in the Lynchburg area to be working.  The stats tells the story.  After a number of years of having free spay/neuter for outside free roaming/feral cats we are seeing a decrease in our cat numbers, and less nuisance calls about cats.  But when you look at communities like Danville where they actively go out and pick up cats to only kill them and have no feral cat or TNR programs in place, their numbers really haven't changed that much over the past 6 years.    

Cat intake and outcome for Danville Humane Society

Danville	Stray	Owner	other	Total intake	Adopted	Euthanized	Transferred	RTO	% RTO	Live release rate
2005	1259	817	13	2089	106	2463	0	14	1%	9%
2006	2302	871	34	3207	115	3079	0	23	1%	9%
2007	2575	871	72	3518	120	3363	0	13	1%	10%
2008	2751	826	45	3622	142	3457	0	26	1%	10%
2009	3002	803	6	3811	90	3707	0	5	0%	9%
2010	2855	594	10	3459	81	3358	0	18	1%	9%
2011	3079	663	7	3749	62	3642	12	37	1%	3%
2012	2783	772	2	3557	66	3415	34	16	1%	3%

Cat intake and outcome for the Lynchburg Humane Society
* in 2009 was when we began some of our No Kill programs and educating the public about TNR was a part of those programs.  

Lynchburg	Stray	Owner	other	Total intake	Adopted	Euthanized	Transferred	RTO	% RTO	Live release rate
2005	834	545	16	1395	273	1083	0	20	2%	21%
2006	748	674	17	1439	324	998	0	29	4%	26%
2007	717	769	7	1493	483	985	0	6	1%	33%
2008	655	692	7	1354	480	868	0	8	1%	36%
2009	693	435	8	1136	466	469	0	13	2%	51%
2010	421	398	7	826	571	188	1	4	1%	75%
2011	608	322	18	948	643	124	0	12	2%	84%
2012	475	453	21	949	637	158	0	18	4%	81%

Plus so far this year we have seen an even bigger decrease in cats/kittens to the point where kitten season seemed very very mild.  And we were wondering if we even had one. 

It is time to solve the problem or at least give another solution an opportunity to stop the number of cats in our cities and counties to grow in numbers.  The bird people want them gone, this will fix that.  The people afraid of rabies and other diseases, this will stop that because most spay/neuter efforts vets the cats and gives them rabies shots.  And last, as for the argument that it is more humane to kill them ... well that really doesn't make sense and I bet if you could ask the cat, the idea of death is pretty final and they would choose living. 

If TNR is not the solution then what is?  I am open to other ideas, anything that will reduce the number of cats in our community but those against TNR aren't being productive. TNR opponents are just complaining about how the new way is wrong and inhumane.

The old way is not working... please give us another idea that doesn't involve killing or lets begin to support TNR language and ideas. 

Makena Yarbrough

Executive Director

Lynchburg Humane

 Why we sent this letter and how you can help this cause:

The Comprehensive Animal Care Laws Workgroup will meet 9/5/13 at 10 AM at the Richmond SPCA and the goal of the meeting is to craft potential policies affecting feral cats and TNR.  It is critical that Workgroup members hear from the public that we want policies and laws that protect feral cats, their caregivers and legitimize TNR.

Here is how you can have a say in the matter:

• Come to the meeting and during the time of public comment speak up for the cats, their caretakers and TNR.  If all you say is “Please legitimize TNR in Virginia”, and person after person makes such a statement, it will be powerful
• Email Dr Dan Kovich of the State Vet’s office   dan.kovich@vdacs.virginia.gov and CC me   jasper550@cox.net with your comments – those will be shared with the Workgroup members

Opponents of TNR are already making their views known to the Workgroup, and we cannot let their message prevail.  The Workgroup needs to hear from residents from across Virginia that TNR is healthy for cats, works for shelters, and benefits the community at large.

 If you are a TNR advocate and/or a caretaker and have ever felt threatened by anti-TNR policies, this is your chance to speak up and truly make a difference!  Please, please, please act!