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Trap-Neuter-Return

Feral cats are undomesticated outdoor cats that live in groups called colonies, which form near places of food and shelter. Like all wild animals, feral cats strive to avoid contact with humans. Removal of feral cats is an ineffective method for attempting to create a cat-free area. Because of a phenomenon known as the “vacuum effect,” new cats would enter and settle in the territory of the removed cats, since the colony location is a source of food and shelter.

The most humane and effective way to control feral cat populations is through an internationally recognized program called Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). Controlling feral cats’ ability to reproduce decreases the population in your neighborhood and prevents disease from spreading. Because TNR is less expensive than removing and euthanizing feral cats, TNR saves taxpayers money while saving cats’ lives at the same time. Here’s how it works:

Trap: Using humane traps, catch each unaltered cat in the colony.

Neuter: Take the cat to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered, given vaccines, and eartipped. An ear tip is a universal symbol that the cat has been through a TNR program. 

Return: Return the cat to its original outdoor home.

Adopt A Feral Cat

Feral cats play an important role in our ecosystem by helping to control rodent populations. Adopting one is a great way to help a feral cat and manage pests! All working cats have a $0 adoption fee and will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchiped and ear-tipped.

Barn Cat

Do you have a property or business that is at risk of being overrun by rodents? If so, adopting one or more barn cats can help get your vermin problem under control. These are feral cats who are accustomed to hunting for meals, and have not had experience with human companionship. By providing them with one meal a day and safe shelter, they will go to work removing rodents from their new homes.

Porch Cat

Do you want a cat of your own but can’t because of allergies, sensitivities, or other issues that prevent you from having an indoor pet? If so, a porch kitty could be for you! Porch cats are accustomed to outdoor life, but enjoy being around people. In exchange for food and care, they will be a companion to keep an eye on your yard while you are gone, and greet you at your gate when you arrive home.

Trapping Feral Cats

If you are physically able and willing to trap feral cats, we do have traps available to rent. Once you trap a feral cat, you should call us at 504.368.5191 to have it spayed/neutered, vaccinated and ear-tipped. The cost of this service is $45 per feral cat.

If you cannot trap yourself, we have an amazing network of volunteer feral cat trappers that can help! Simply fill out a trapping request form and someone from the volunteer feral cat trapping team will contact you. 

Preventing Nuisance Behaviors

Feral cats are part of the urban wildlife in our communities. They benefit our neighborhoods by curbing rodent populations. But for those uncomfortable around cats, there are many humane ways to keep them
out of yards without removing them. Keep in mind that what might work for one yard may not work for another.

We are committed to working with our neighbors to help everyone coexist peacefully. While community cats are protected in New Orleans and many other parishes we understand that nuisance behaviors are still a problem. We’ll do our best to help you with these issues, but it is important that you understand that parish laws prohibit us from picking up and removing feral cats unless they are ill or injured. If you are struggling to keep feral cats off your property contact us so we can help!

• Remove food sources and keep your garbage cans covered.
• Raised homes should have all access points blocked.
• Keep gates closed and block and access points through or under your fence.
• You can use a car cover to keep paw prints of your vehicles.
• Use river stones, lava or marble rocks, large cedar chips, pine cones, or concrete pavers to prevent cats from digging in soil. For a cheap and easy solution, push disposable wooden chopsticks or 10-inch plant stakes into flower beds every 8 inches.
• Scatter the peels of citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, or grapefruits in your garden. Replenish these repellents regularly, especially after a rainfall.
• Plant herbs like rue, lavender, pennyroyal, or Coleus canina on the borders of your property.
• Spray commercial cat repellent around the edge of your yard and along the top of the fence. For maximum effectiveness, make sure you spray again every time it rains.
• Purchase motion-activated animal repellants.
• Reach out to known caretakers in the area, and request that they build outdoor litter boxes on their properties to encourage cats to eliminate there.