Fix-A-Feral
Northern Oklahoma Human Society’s Newest Program Story by Jennifer Vaughan/Staff Writer Photos provided by Karlissa Archibeque
Can you tell me more about the Fix-A-Feral program? Northern Oklahoma Humane Society’s Fix-A-Feral program is designed to reduce shelter euthanasia, preserve scarce shelter resources and solve our community’s feral and stray cat overpopulation crisis through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). What exactly is a “feral” cat?
A feral cat is one that lives outdoors, is not socialized to people, avoids human contact and does not belong to anyone. What is the ultimate goal of Fix-A-Feral?
The desired outcome and ultimate goal of the Fix-A-Feral program is to permanently reduce the local community cat population through the use of TNR in order to eventually eliminate feral cat colonies. Why is Trap-Neuter-Return the solution?
TNR is the recommended method nationwide for controlling feral cat colonies. For over a century in the United States, the majority of animal shelter programs relied on a uniform approach to the management of both dogs and cats. However, the outcome was remarkably different for the two species. Dog euthanasia rates declined steadily while feline intake and euthanasia remained high. In recent years, however, TNR has been implemented widespread across the United States and proven to be effective.
Some of the local feral colony cats who have benefited from FixA-Feral’s program.
In seven years, a single female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 more cats. 26 February 2021
