There are more than 40,000 feral cats in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Friends2Ferals is dedicated to improving the lives of feral cats and humanely reducing their numbers over time utilizing the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) method. TNR has proven to be the most effective and humane method to deal with the issue of feral cats
Just two unsterilized cats will produce 12 more cats in one year's time. Feral cats live together in groups called “colonies.” They seek out a location where they can find enough food and shelter to survive. But life for most of these cats is a struggle every day. Females spend a majority of their lives either pregnant or nursing while on a starvation diet. Males spend much of their time roaming and fighting.
More than 50% of feral kittens will die in the first year. Unsterilized feral cats may become a nuisance and result in Animal Control picking them up and taking them to the shelter. Because feral cats are not accustomed to contact with humans, they typically do not make good house pets and are not considered adoptable. This results in close to 100% of all feral cats being euthanized if taken to the shelter. Through TNR, Friends2Ferals deals with these issues humanely and improves the quality of life for all feral cats.

How TNR Works

Click here for a pictorial guide to TNR.

• A feral cat colony is identified.
• The cats are trapped humanely.
• The cats are transported to the Humane Alliance for their spay/neuter surgery and rabies vaccination.
• The cats have their left ear “tipped” for future identification.
• The cats are returned to their colony within 24 – 48 hours.
• Volunteers feed and care for the cat colony on a daily basis.

Why TNR Works

• TNR stabilizes the colony size by eliminating new litters.
• TNR reduces nuisance behavior associated with unsterilized cats.
• TNR means fewer cats/kittens flow through animal shelters resulting in lower euthanasia rates and increased adoptions of shelter cats.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Get Educated—Register for an upcoming TNR Workshop offered by Friends2Ferals and learn how you can help save lives. The workshop includes a copy of A Guide to Trap-Neuter-Return for the Feral Cat Caretaker.

• TNR—Participate in the TNR Workshop and you will be entitled to free trap rentals from Friends2Ferals as well as discounts on spay/neuter surgeries, and expert advice so you can begin TNR in your community.

• Volunteer—Volunteer to be a Colony Caregiver and improve the health and quality of life for feral cats. Care giving includes feeding and monitoring the health of the cats. For more information on volunteering call (828) 505-6737.

• Donate—Friends2Ferals needs donations of both money and cat food. Money is needed to purchase traps and offset numerous expenses including spay/neuter surgeries. Canned and dry cat food is needed for baiting traps and daily feeding of the feral cat colonies.