Triple R Pets Hosts TNR Workshop Monday At LaGrange Park Library

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL -- Triple R Pets will be hosting a trap-neuter-release (TNR) workshop for feral or “community” cats that live outdoors this Monday, Aug. 6, at the LaGrange Park Public Library, 555 S.LaGrange Road. The workshop runs from 6 to 8 p.m. The workshop is free and open to the public or anyone who is interested in helping the cats that live outside.

Presenter Liz Houtz will offer an overview of what constitutes a “community” cat, ferals or strays that live outside who have either never had any socialization with people or their contact with people has diminished over time. These feral and stray cats have learned to thrive and survive on their own in family groups or colonies. Most of these cats are likely to not enjoy living indoors and, therefore, aren’t good candidates for adoption.

People can help community cats live safely outside by providing food and shelter and by using the trap/neuter/spay/vaccinate method before releasing community cats back to their outdoor locations. TNR provides human care by gradually reducing the feral cat population instead of killing them.

“The breeding rate of cats is exponential,” Collette Walker said, a board member and the volunteer community relations director for Triple R Pets. “One female can have two to four litters averaging four kittens in each litter. Female cats can breed at four months old, and when the female drops a litter her four-month-old kittens are pregnant and mom is also pregnant again. This one female can breed 40 to 50 kittens a year.”

The TNR workshop will cover the following topics:

• What are community cats?
• How can we help them?
• What is TNR?
• TNR project planning
• What to do with kittens
• Colony management
• Being a good neighbor
• Predation
• Cook County Managed Care of Feral Cats Ordinance

Triple R Pets has over 6,000 community cats in its database across the Chicago region. The organization is dedicated to helping the outside cats, both ferals and strays, adults and kittens, to live safer, healthier lives. Through managed care and trap, neuter and release practices, with the goal of reducing the number of unwanted kittens born outside, as well as reducing the rate of euthanization of cats and kittens in shelters nationwide. Read more about Triple R Pets and its mission.

Top Photo: TNR Synchronicity | Courtesy of Triple R Pets