HSPC offering feral cat spay/neuter program

In an effort to reduce the number of feral kittens, the Humane Society of Putnam County operates a TNR (Trap Neuter Release) program for residents of Putnam County.

Volunteers will set traps, then transport the cats to a vet to be spayed or neutered. After the surgery and a rabies vaccination, the cats are returned to the place where they were trapped. The vet will cut a small notch in the cat’s ear to identify the animal has been fixed.

TNR allows these “community cats” to be returned to the neighborhoods where they have been living, but they will no longer be able to reproduce. Over time, the population of these groups will decline.

Neutered males are less likely to mark their territory by spraying urine all over the yard. Spayed females won’t go into heat, yowling to advertise for a male. One unsterilized female cat may have up to four litters a year. Each litter usually contains between one and nine kittens.

Kittens can get pregnant as young as four months of age.

For more information about the TNR program, contact Don Williams at Rescued Treasures, 1021 Indianapolis Rd., or by phone at 653-7174.

Rescued Treasures is open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.