Here’s how Mississauga is dealing with a feral cat problem
Published March 3, 2020 at 4:56 pm
People often worry about coyotes, raccoons and other wildlife in the city, but not everyone thinks about the issues involved with having too many feral cats in a municipality–even though the cats themselves are at higher risk of injury and death due to being outside.
Fortunately for the city’s kitties (rhyme not intentional), Mississauga is making enhancements to its Trap Neuter Return Management (TNRM) program.
The city says the TNRM program helps manage the feral cat population (the word “feral” typically refers to unowned domestic outdoor cats that avoid human contact), improves their well-being and provides support to feral cat colony operators.
“Our TNRM program has been helpful in managing the feral cat population,” said Jay Smith, manager, Animal Services, in a statement.
“Over the last 10 years, we’ve seen significant improvements in the save-rate of domestic animals, including feral cats, by 90 per cent and a decrease in the number of euthanized animals by 96 per cent – thanks in large part to the TNRM program.”
Mississauga Animal Services supports a number of colony operators who trap feral cats for the purpose of spaying/neutering and releasing them. Some of the support through the TNRM program includes setting up traps and bait, transporting trapped feral cats, supporting veterinary clinics for spaying/neutering and vaccination services, taking in young and/or socialized feral cats for adoption, and donating pet food and supplies
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“We understand the importance of working closely with colony operators, the community and our partners to better achieve the program’s main objectives and goals,” Smith said.
“We’re dedicated to continuing working with them in an effort to decrease the feral cat population, while ensuring their well-being.”
The city says it can also enhance the TNRM program through city-funded veterinary services that establish a maximum of 60 spay/neuter treatment areas annually, develop and deliver consistent training for all colony operators, provide additional shelter space and adoption services, increase education and awareness around the program, and create stronger partnerships with colony operators to better collect data that can accurately assess the effectiveness of the program.
The city says it’s encouraging all colony operators to apply and register for the program in order to be exempt from specific animal care and control by-laws and obtain access to additional services
Enhancements to the TNRM program will go to council on March 4, 2020, for final approval.
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