FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is TNR:
- TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Return. It is a method of humanely managing feral cat populations by trapping them, having them spayed or neutered by a veterinarian, and then returning them to their colonies. Learn more about TNR here.
What is high-intensity TNR?
- Researchers found that employing high-intensity TNR—defined as sterilizing 75% of the intact cats every six months—not only reduced population sizes, but that those populations experienced 31 times fewer preventable cat deaths compared to taking no action. Intensity matters when it comes to the application of TNR, which can be an effective tool when enough cats are sterilized. However, the ability of TNR to reduce preventable deaths and population size largely disappears when implemented with less intensity. A lower-intensity effort—while helping individual cats—does not reach the thresholds necessary to achieve greater benefits
STAR has been sterilizing 100% of colonies in South County.
How TNR Enriches Our Community:
- Reduces burden on shelters: Unlike sporadic trapping and removal, STAR employs research-backed high-intensity TNR. This proven approach is the most humane and effective way to stabilize and gradually reduce community cat populations. Our work significantly decreases shelter intakes, freeing up resources and giving more cats a chance at a better life.
- Promotes a healthy ecosystem: TNR helps maintain a balanced ecosystem by stabilizing cat populations and reducing the potential for disease transmission among cats and wildlife.
- Fosters compassion: By promoting humane solutions for feral cats, STAR encourages community involvement and cultivates empathy for all living beings.