Cat

Trap Neuter Return Manage Program

What is Trap Neuter Return Manage Program (T.N.R.M.)

T.N.R.M. program is a volunteer program monitored by Oshawa Animal Services and Oshawa Municipal Law Enforcement. Trap, Neuter, Return and Manage is a program for feral cats in the community.

Under a cat colony management program, volunteers would:

Spay/neuter and vaccinate free roaming cats returning them to where they were from
Provide basic food/shelter
Keep accurate records of treated/released feral cats
Maintain community relations
Remove social kittens/cats for adoption

Feral cats are always spayed or neutered to:

Improve the quality of life
Reduce the number of feral cats euthanized
Reduce or end feral cat colonies through attrition

Cats

Benefits of becoming a Certified Colony Caretaker

To participate, Oshawa caretakers must attend a colony caretaker workshop to make you eligible for the T.N.R.M. program. The program includes city paid spay/neuter surgery, trap loans, and a food bank. Straw bedding may also be an option but is subject to donations.

Feral cat caretakers are exempt from:

Pet limits
Running-at-large
Licensing provisions

These are all in the Responsible Pet Owner's By-law

What is a feral cat?
Location	Traits
Outdoors	Will not approach and will likely seek hiding places to avoid people It may belong to a colony Unlikely to make eye contact Will not beg or purr It is more likely to be nocturnal May have a clean, well-kept coat with scars from fighting
In a trap	Cannot touch, even by a caregiver Will likely stay in the back of the cage and retreat as far back as possible If frightened, the cat may shake, rattle or climb the cage and could become injured Will remain tense and unsocial Will likely ignore all people and toys, and even food Will not show any familiarity or interest in household sounds Will be aggressive and lash out if threatened or cornered

What is a stray cat?
Location	Traits
Outdoors	May approach people, houses, porches or cars Will likely live alone and not be part of a group Might walk and move like a house cat, such as walking with tail up - a sign of friendliness Will look at you, blink or make eye contact May be vocal, meow or "answer" your voice Will be visible during the daytime May be dirty or disheveled
In a trap	May let you touch it or tolerate a small about of touching with an object May come to the front of the cage May rub against the cage in a friendly way May relax over time May investigate toys or food placed near the edge of the cage May respond to household sounds like cat food cans or food bags May hiss or growl to show anxiety