What is a feral cat?

Feral cats are the "wild" offspring of domestic cats and are primarily the result of pet owners' abandoning and/or failure to spay and neuter their cats, allowing them to breed uncontrollably. Without intervention, a pair of breeding cats can exponentially produce 420,000 offspring over a seven year period. Already, U.S. animal shelters are forced to kill an estimated 15 million homeless cats and dogs annually. The alternative to humane euthanasia for almost every stray is a violent end or slow, painful death. Many "throwaways" die mercilessly outdoors from starvation, disease, abuse or as food for a predator.

What is the Cat Haven Feral Program all about?

Cat Haven's Feral Program has two goals: First, to reduce the population explosion by spaying and neutering feral cats; second, to capture young feral kittens so they may be socialized and domesticated to be good pets. Our program utilizes the proven method of Trap-Neuter-Release (T-N-R). After trapping, each cat is spayed or neutered, given a rabies vaccination and treated for minor ailments.

What does T-N-R mean?

Studies have proven that trap-neuter-release (TNR) is the single most successful method of stabilizing and maintaining healthy feral cat colonies with the least possible cost to local governments and residents, while providing the best life for the animals themselves. TNR is more effective and less costly than repeated attempts at extermination as costs for repeatedly trapping and killing feral colonies are far higher than promoting stable, non-breeding colonies in the same location. Vacated areas are soon filled by other cats who start the breeding process over again.

How is Cat Haven making a difference in our community?

We many traps in use, taking anywhere from 1 hour to 4 days to trap a cat. Since it's inception in 2001, the Cat Haven Feral program has trapped over 4,500 cats. Cat Haven targets specific areas in the effort to reduce the feral population by implementing the "neighborhood approach".

How can you be part of the solution?

If you are interested in being part of the solution, we are actively seeking volunteers and funding to continue this very important program. We are focused on targeted TNR efforts in defined geographic areas in East Baton Rouge parish. If you are willing to become part of the solution, we can help. We do require a contribution of $25 per feline sterilized to cover a portion of our veterinary costs to reduce feline over population. If you want more information, please send an email to spayneuter@cathaven.org.