South Orange has launched a Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return (TNVR) program to help control the town’s feral cat population humanely. The program is described below in a release from the town’s Health Officer John Festa.
In addition, the Township of South Orange posted a Request for Proposals on August 22 for 298 Walton Street, the former home of the Jersey Animal Coalition (see the RFP here).
From the Township of South Orange Village:
On June 27, 2016, the Board of Health in South Orange enacted an Ordinance to address the growing feral cat population in the Township.
For years, the Township and many other municipalities in NJ have tried unsuccessfully to combat feral cat overpopulation by trapping and removing cats. Village President Sheena Collum and the Board of Health have decided it’s time to try something different: a method called TNVR.
TNVR stands for Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return, a process that involves humanely trapping feral cats, spaying or neutering them, vaccinating them against rabies and other common illnesses, and returning them to their outdoor “home” to live out their lives. A “colony caretaker” provides food, fresh water and adequate shelter to the colony cats and monitors their health. Neutering the cats nearly eliminates nuisance behaviors that are so bothersome to residents and are associated with hormones and reproduction, such as territorial marking, urine spraying, unburied feces, caterwauling, and fighting. TNVR is proven to be the least costly and most efficient way to reduce feral cat populations. It is also the only humane method. TNVR is endorsed by numerous well respected animal welfare organizations including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Humane Society of the United States, and the National Animal Control Association.
There are an estimated 50 million feral cats in the US according to the Humane Society of the United States. Unfortunately, feral cats have reverted to a wild state and are not appropriate as house pets so those that wind up in the shelter system are almost always euthanized. Every year, tens of thousands of feral cats are euthanized in NJ’s shelters simply because there is no alternative.
South Orange will enlist a local animal welfare organization, People for Animals (PFA) to help administer the program in order to reduce the cost burden to taxpayers. PFA has operated a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Hillside for 30 years and will be serving as the program’s “Sponsor.” The Sponsor is responsible for monitoring and administrating the TNVR Program. This includes responding to and abating nuisance complaints about cat’s outdoors, overseeing cat caretakers, raising funds to support the program, and reporting statistics about the program to the Board of Health and Health Department annually. PFA will also host TNVR training workshops for caretakers and loan out traps to support those who are trying to help feral cats in their neighborhoods.
Residents that want to become a colony caretaker or needs help with feral cat populations are encouraged to contact PFA directly at 973-282-0890 ext. 222 or email TNR@pfaonline.org.
See related stories here:
South Orange Trap Neuter Vaccinate Release Program Starts July 18
South Orange Bd. of Health Presents Plan to Manage Stray Cats
Collum: South Orange Now Focusing on Animal Control Issues
