South Shore TNR

S.H.A.I.D. Tree Shelter Society presents

THE SOUTH SHORE TRAP,
NEUTER & RETURN PROGRAM

Dedicated to reducing cat overpopulation on the South Shore

South Shore TNR was formed by a group of concerned volunteers in July 2007. We are affiliated with S.H.A.I.D. and our mission is to reduce cat overpopulation among strays and ferals along the South Shore of Nova Scotia. We aim to accomplish this by using a proven humane method called Trap, Neuter and Return or TNR. TNR has been used, with success, in many areas. In Nova Scotia alone, there are several groups working in areas across the province. Most, like us, are volunteers and rely on funding from donors and fundraisers to pay the costs of spaying and neutering the cats.

How Does It Work?

We are taking aim at colonies that already have a caregiver. For example, it may be in a rural setting such as a farm or country home that has kindly been feeding stray, abandoned and feral cats. It may also be in
the city. It could be a few backyard visitors who are being fed out of kindness and then show up with a “family” of kittens! It might
be a business that notices them in an alley or on their premises.

The situation gets rapidly out of control with the females having two to three litters a year. Before the well meaning souls know it, they have an overwhelming number of cats on their hands.

SSTNR will, upon receiving a call, check out the situation with a visit and, if deemed appropriate for our intervention, will make an agreement with the caregiver.

They must agree to continue to feed and provide shelter (barn, shed or shelters can be built) for the current cats. In return, SSTNR volunteers willhumanely trap the members of the colony and get them spayed or neutered at local vets. They are ear tipped while under the anesthetic. This marks them as already fixed so they do not have to go through the trauma of retrapping etc.

The cats stay in captivity at the vets or with a volunteer for at least
overnight after being operated on to recover and then are released back to their “home”. They are also checked over while at the vet and minor health issues tended to.

How Can You Help?

You can volunteer to help. We need people to help trap, to transport cats, to work at fundraisers. etc.

You can donate. Your financial support is greatly appreciated.

Cheques should be made out to SHAID but put “TNR” in the memo line.
Online donations with a credit card can be made at www.shaid.ca and click on the Donate link in the left hand column.
Donations should be mailed to this address:
South Shore TNR
c/o S.H.A.I.D.
450 LaHave St. Unit 17 Suite 13

FAQ

Q: How do you catch the cats?
A: Cats are humanely trapped in live traps.
Q: Isn’t it inhumane to release them back out into
the cold? Won’t they freeze?
A: Our TNR cats are not released into the wild.
Each colony has a caregiver who continues to
provide food and to provide some sort of shelter in
the cold months for them
Q: What about all the birds and wildlife feral cats
kill?
A: Cats are opportunistic feeders and birds make
up a very small percentage of their diet. On farms
etc, cats provide excellent rodent control.
Q: Shouldn’t all cats have safe, loving homes?
A: In an ideal world, yes. Sadly, there are many
more cats than there are homes available for them. .
Q: Why don’t you just do the females?
A: One male can impregnate as many females as he
comes across and he can roam widely. Males also
spray, get into fights over females and howl. Most of
these unpleasant behaviours are reduced or
eliminated with neutering and this makes them
more pleasant neighbours as well.

Our mission is to reduce cat overpopulation among strays and ferals along the South Shore of Nova Scotia, especially in Lunenburg County.

With your help, we believe we can make a difference. For more information on TNR, an excellent resource is Alley Cat Allies who pioneered TNR and are the best resource for information.
To get on our mailing list for updates, send us an e-mail.
To volunteer, just call either Lynne or Beth.
If you know of someone who needs help with stray/feral cats, please encourage them to call us.

South Shore TNR

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