This document discusses Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs for street cats. It explains that TNR involves trapping feral cats, getting them spayed/neutered, and then returning them to their outdoor homes. The goals are to reduce the population of homeless cats humanely over time and prevent future litters of kittens from being born into the streets. The document provides an example of a TNR program in the author's hometown that has neutered over 75,000 street cats since 1995. It also describes plans to start the first official TNR program in Nanjing, China at a Buddhist temple that cares for about 25-30 cats on its grounds.

1. TNR: Trap, Neuter and Return:
Improve the Lives of Street
Cats
Sharon Warner Methvin, PhD
Department of Anthropology, Mt. Hood Community College, Portland, OR
Smethvinn@gmail.com

3.  Provide Love and Companionship
 Reduce Stress
 Increase our Health
 Keep us Active
 What Else?

9.  Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is
practiced in many cities in the US,
including my hometown where
we have neutered 75, 000 street
cats.
 We have been doing TNR since
1995.

11.  TNR is a process where caregivers who
are feeding street cats trap them in
humane traps.
 They then take them to be neutered
and after recovery, return the cats to
where they are feeding them.
 Adoptable cats and kittens are placed
in homes whenever possible.

12.  The goal of the program is to reduce
suffering for existing street cats and
prevent the births and suffering of future
kittens.
 One cat can produce many litters of kittens
for which there are no homes.
 In the US only 4 of every 10 kittens born
will find a home. The rest die or are injured
on the streets.

13.  Commercial Kitty
 Lone Mom/Tom Hobo
 Barnyard Kitty
 Residential Colony

36.  People sometimes feel overwhelmed
and wonder what difference they can
really make to help animals have a
better life.
 I hope this talk has inspired you and
provided you with knowledge, ideas
and examples.
 YOU can make a difference!

38.  The first official TNR community project in
Nanjing will be conducted this month at Lingu
Temple. Approximately 25-30 cats are cared for
by the temple monks. One elderly monk at the
entrance to the temple feeds around 15 cats
faithfully every morning and evening. Others
lounge blissfully and safe inside the temple
grounds. The temple has posted four large
notices that address the kind treatment of the
temple cats, and all animals, and the promotion
of TNR as a humane alternative to killing other
beings.

39.  An old man was strolling along a beach one day. In the
distance he saw a young boy and girl reach down, pick
something up and throw it back into the sea. Drawing nearer,
he saw that the sand was littered with thousands of small
stranded sand dollars. The children were patiently picking
them up, one at a time, and returning them to safety below
the water. "What are you doing?" he asked. "Saving sand
dollars," replied the children as they continued about the job
at hand. "But the beach is littered with dying sand dollars.
What possible difference can you make by doing this?”The
young girl bent over, picked up another, and threw it back in
the water with all her might. Then, turning to the old man,
she said with all the wisdom of a child:
"I made a difference for that one."