Customer Reviews

TNR: Past, Present and Future: A History of the Trap-Neuter-Return Movement

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I am new to working with feral cat populations. This book has really educated me about this element of our society. There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding cats in general, and this book helps dispel the rumors. Example: cats are killing off the bird population. In reality, humans do more in killing birds with their cars and disruption of habitat than cats. Another example is that these cats are sick. In reality, when a colony is cared for, their incidence of disease is no more than the pet cat population. There is so much we can do to care for ferals besides mass execution. We would never consider a round up of racoons, wild turkeys, deer or possum and execute them. Why do we think it's okay to do it to cats? This book offers a sensible approach to learning how to live along side these wild animals.

In addition to the extensive and persuasive information on the benefits of TNR (to cat AND human alike), not to be missed is the first part of this book, with its history of the inception of TNR in Great Britan, more than 50 years ago, and the struggles and breakthroughs of its leaders back then.

The book is a comprehensive guide to TNR - easy to read and filled with information for neophyte and veteran of TNR alike. Great color photos showing the ferals -- about to enter the trap (and be taken to the vet to be Neutered and vaccinated), eating, enjoying the sunshine, meditating with a sibling, and Just Being a Cat. There is, at the end of the book, an extensive section (31 pages) of Notes, with bibliographies and comments, and an equally impressive Index.

This book is also a very good "pocket manual" for those who want to know more about how to save these colonies of ferals (and strays) that live in every part of the US, and it quote extensively from the Pioneers in the field as well as today's contemporaries.

The author discusses TNR at length, and makes some very good points on how to help alleviate and dispel the injurious (to the cats) myths about Cat and bird predation. Proper control of feral colonies by Trap Neuter and Return (and Vaccination - including the Rabies vaccine) is the most humane way to keep the feral cat population low while avoiding the terrible alternative of Trap and Kill -- which only creates The Vacuum Effect (more feral cats move in).

It has also been said (elsewhere) that nowadays the worst "Cat" that kills birds is the "CAT"erpillar tractor that indiscriminately destroys habitat (which I've seen happen first-hand).

It is also true that the incidence of rabies and HIV is as low (very low) in feral cats as it is in the house cat population. And for those who say "How will you be able to re-vaccinate them?" Some TNR folk just have their ferals get used to eating in the (door-wired-open) traps, so they don't become trap-shy.

This book is a small, sensible overview of TNR and would be a great introductory "read" for anyone interested in the subject.