Community Cats

Saying goodbye is always difficult when you will never see each other again. Although goodbyes to loved ones is quite difficult, pets comes in a close second. With the emotional and physical bond created between both a wonderful owner and pet, parting away is rough on both sides. Every year millions of pets are either abandoned or given up by their owners according to the American Humane Society. Pets are often given up due to no allowance in the owner’s residence, owner does not have enough time to take care of them, divorce/death and behavior issues, and allergies. Although Hawaii has passed laws to lessen the population of community animals, we still has a significant number of community cats. The overpopulation of community cats are a major issue in Hawaii because they are disrupting Hawaii citizens by relieving themselves in their yards, walking all over their cars, and occupying space which is a risk as well as nuisance. However, a deeper problem will emerge later on if this current problem is not treated.

The TNRM method first begins by trapping the cats by using humane traps such as the luring of food. After trapping the cats, sterilization is performed on them in a veterinary clinic. In order to easily identify the sterilized cats they are ear tipped. When the cats are healthy enough after the surgery they are released to the site of capture. The cats are provided food and also monitored by a responsible cat colony caregiver. Results of the TNRM method include the extermination of the cat’s reproductive capacity which leads to a steady decline in their numbers. Aggressive behavior and caterwauling are also reduced which will help ease the irritation of Hawaii