Trap Neuter Return Manage Program

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

The Trap Neuter Return Manage (T.N.R.M.) program is a volunteer-based initiative supported by Oshawa Animal Services and Oshawa Municipal Law Enforcement. The program helps feral cat colonies by humanely trapping, spaying or neutering, vaccinating, returning and caring for community cats.

T.N.R.M. is recognized as a humane approach to managing feral cat populations. The program:

Improves the health and quality of life of feral cats.
Reduces the number of feral cats euthanized.
Helps stabilize and gradually reduce colony populations over time.

Colony caretaker responsibilities

Certified colony caretakers play an important role in managing feral cat colonies. Responsibilities include:

Humanely trapping cats for spay/neuter and vaccination before returning them to their colony
Providing food, water and appropriate shelter.
Maintaining accurate records of treated and returned cats
Maintaining community relations.
Removing socialized kittens and cats for adoption when possible.

Becoming a Colony Caretaker

To participate in the T.N.R.M. Program, Oshawa caretakers must:

Attend a Colony Caretaker Workshop
Become certified as a colony caretaker
Agree to follow program requirements and responsibilities

Certified colony caretakers may be eligible for:

City-funded spay/neuter surgery for feral cats,
Humane trap loans
Pet food support
Straw bedding, subject to availability and donations

Exemptions for Certified Colony Caretakers

Colony caretakers are exempt from:

Pet limits
Running-at-large
Licensing provisions

For more information, review the Responsible Pet Owner's By-law.

Is the cat feral or stray?

Not sure whether a cat is feral or stray? Understanding the difference can help determine the most appropriate course of action.

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

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

Contact Us

Service Oshawa
Oshawa City Hall
50 Centre St. S.
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7
Phone: 905-436-3311
Toll Free: 1-800-667-4292
Email: service@oshawa.ca

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