People in Harmony with Feral and Wild Animals: Practical Effective TNR.

1. People in Harmony with Feral and Wild Animals:Practical Effective TNR. Ten Fundamentals for TNR Success. Dr David Burrows, Veterinary Surgeon, B Vet Med, B Sc Hons, MRCVS GPO Box 10266 Hong Kong burrowsvet1@yahoo.com Associate, St Anthony�s Animal Recovery Hospital, Shanghai TNR = Trap Neuter Return TNR = Trap Neuter Return TNR = Trap Neuter ReturnTNR = Trap Neuter Return TNR = Trap Neuter Return

2. Paradigm Shift Needed TNR: �In order to reduce or stabilize the population of feral animals in a locality, we will put the animals back there.� This is difficult for many people to understand. Extremely difficult for many bureaucrats, officials and politicians to understand, except an enlightened few. Mind set: �There are too many animals there, so get rid of them!�

3. The Guarantee: A properly spayed animal will never again produce offspring. ============================================================= �An unspayed female cat and her mate and all their offspring, producing 2 litters per year with 2.8 surviving kittens per litter: in 1 year will produce 12 extra cats, and in 5 years will produce 11,801 extra cats.� ( USA figure quoted from HKSPCA website ) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BUT: One properly spayed female cat and one properly neutered male cat will still total maximum 2 cats: one year later, five years later�

4. The Workforce There is a huge army out there consisting of people who care about animals, who will enthusiastically do their share to save the animals through a well organized programme. They need guidance and support, and it can work. Guidelines setting out the Fundamentals can help to achieve consistent results and agreed programmes to success

5. 1. Manage the animal population realistically Assess and define the existing population of animals Identify existing groups/colonies/distribution Estimate the numbers, kinds and distribution/locations of the animals as accurately as possible Identify locations for feeding, trapping, shelter, etc, wher they will not cause nuisance or problems Prepare a practical programme plan which is achievable and realistic

6. 2.Work to achieve a high percentage of sterilized animals in the population in a �short� time frame A low % of sterilized animals in a population is ineffective in controlling the numbers in a population group Studies on TNR have given estimates of a need to sterilize between 70 % and 94 % of a population of cats or dogs Colony carers may tend to be over-optimistic about their % achievements so aim for 100%

7. 3.Manage the animals to avoid negative impact on wildlife and the environment Conservationists are sometimes the biggest opponents of TNR programmes for ferals TNR is FOR saving lives�not only cats and dogs but also to protect wild birds Feed the TNR colony animals�good carers Monitor the wildlife and environment

8. 4 Local community support The human community sway politicians and officials Communication to obtain on-going support is important for lasting success Protect the human community� anti-rabies vaccination and health programmes for the animals

9. 5 Deal with nuisances caused by animals in the programme Nuisance may be real or perceived, but it is �real� to the complainants Barking, especially at night Community fear Residents� worries about their pets

10. 6. Good monitoring and care for the colony animals Good carers Food, water, care, monitoring ? humane Always Include health programmes and disease-prevention for the animals in the programme Identification Vaccinattion

11. 7. Severely aggressive individuals Unprovoked attackers Very few such animals Community fears and �hysteria� Clear policy on such animals

12. 8 Holistic approach The programme colony Immigration New abandonments Neighbouring groups of animals Owned and loosely owned dogs interacting Not just TNR, but also area ABC + RPO + health Animal health, human health/safety, rabies prevention RPO Responsible Pet Ownership ABC Animal Birth Control TNR Trap Neuter Return

13. 9. Monitor progress, corrective action when needed

14. Political and �Official� support or tolerance Can be very difficult ! Valuable if attainable

15. ABC / TNR programmes can beadapted for many species Wild monkeys in Hong Kong [ human � monkey conflict ] for example

16. Record of the programme, write it up�scientifically Dearth of true scientific studies which verify the successes of TNR

17. Humans ! Homo sapiens is the species completely unable to control its own population, but believing it has the right to control the populations of every other species