Feral Cat Program

The Pawnee County Humane Society started a community wide program to control the feral cat population in Larned in February 2009.  Multiple studies have shown that TNR programs are the ONLY effective way to control feral cats.  The PCHS wants the community to understand why we are taking this approach.

A feral cat is a cat that has returned to living like a wild animal.  It was either born to a feral mother or was abandoned by previous owners.  These cats are not tame, they are not house pets. Feral cats are present in nearly all communities world-wide.

These cats reproduce at astounding rates.  One male and one female cat and their offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 kittens in 6 years.  Feral cats reproduce until their population reaches Maximum Sustainability (all available resources are being used). This is why simply catching the cats and moving them to a new location or having them put to sleep is not a long term solution.  These methods of dealing with cats only ENCOURAGES them to breed faster.  The opposite of what we want to accomplish.

By spaying/neutering the feral cats and then RETURNING them to their neighborhood they hold their spot but do not reproduce.  This allows us to get ahead of the population.  As we continue to spay/neuter the number of cats does not grow.  Then, as nature takes its course, the population of adults begins to decline.   

TNR has been the only method proven to effectively control the feral cat population.     The PCHS believes that with community support we will be able to make a difference.   Cats that have been through the TNR program will be vaccinated for rabies, be spayed/neutered and will also have the tip of one ear surgically removed. This will allow them to be identified as cats that have already been through the program so we do not take them into the vet a second time. 

These cats will also not exhibit the bothersome behaviors of unaltered cats.  There will not be tomcats fighting over females or marking their territory.  The females will not be in heat, howling through the night or having kittens in a garage or under a porch.   Most problems associated with feral cats will be eliminated. 

The PCHS believes that this Trap/Neuter/Return program is the best option for controlling the feral population.

Below are links to the notice we give to residents in the areas where we are trapping as well as an agreement we have with our caregivers (those who help monitor the feral cat colonies and provide food and shelter).

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about this program.  The PCHS invites you to learn more about the ways that you can help!  If you know of feral cats that we can help, or if you would like to be a caregiver, please contact us.