News You Can Use
Trap / Neuter / Release
Trap / Neuter / Release by Cheyenne Pratt , Vet Technician , Calico Creek Vets
With the increasing amount of people in the area taking part in the local trap / neuter / release program , it ' s a good time to highlight the benefits . TNR is a humane method used to manage stray and feral cat populations . The TNR process is exactly as it sounds . Stray and feral cats are humanely trapped and then taken to a participating veterinarian to be spayed or neutered , vaccinated for rabies and ear tipped . Ear tipping is when a small piece of the cat ' s ear is removed , while under anesthesia . It ' s a universal sign that the cat is already spayed or neutered and can be released immediately if trapped . Once the cat recovers from surgery , it ' s taken back to where it came from and released . There are millions of homeless cats , and TNR is the most effective way to decrease their numbers . Trapping and relocating cats is not effective because when a cat is removed from an area , it just opens up space for other cats to come in and take its place .
If you have stray cats roaming your neighborhood , you may be familiar with some of their " nuisance " behavior . Unfixed felines will yowl loudly to find a mate , usually at night , when people are trying to sleep . Male cats will often fight , which includes a lot of vocalizing . Unneutered male cats spray ( urine ) to mark their territory and will mark anything they can , from your car to your outdoor furniture . Spaying / neutering these cats will help curb this unwanted behavior , making them less of nuisance and easier to coexist with .
Another benefit of TNR is that it improves the overall health of outdoor cats . Because they get a rabies vaccine , they ' re less likely to contract rabies and spread it to other animals , and possibly people . Every year in PA alone , there are a couple hundred cases of cats with rabies reported . Rabies is fatal to animals and humans . Spayed / neutered cats are also less likely to get certain life-threatening infections and cancers . Some TNR programs include testing for feline viruses , like leukemia and aids . If a cat tests positive for either of these , euthanasia is recommended . Both feline leukemia and feline aids compromise the immune system and can make cats very sickly . Humane euthanasia helps prevent the spread of FeLV and FIV .
The main purpose of TNR is to minimize the amount of unwanted litters . That means fewer cats in shelters and fewer cats that get euthanized . Street cats are usually not socialized and won ' t thrive in a shelter or a home . TNR helps keep cat colonies stable and allows stray cats to live out their natural lives outdoors .
Being involved in the TNR process is rewarding . If you are interested in helping , contact your local SPCA to discuss how it works and to get a list of vets that participate in the program . There are plenty of online resources with tips on how to safely and properly trap a cat for TNR . It ' s important to maintain the safety of both the cat and the caretaker during the process .
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Pawsitively Pets -- July
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News You Can Use
Recalls :
TDBBS LLC , Richmond , VA : Recalling Green Tripe dog treats due to the potential presence of foreign metal objects in the dog treat . The recall is limited to certain lots distributed from February to May 2024 and sold nationwide in retail stores and through online mail orders . Info : 877-583-5853 ( 6 / 20 / 24 )
Mars Petcare , Chicago , Illinois : Recalling Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food , 44 pound bags , sold by Walmart in Arkansas , Louisiana , Oklahoma , and Texas . Recall due to potential presence of loose metal pieces in the bag , which could pose a choking hazard . Info : 1-800-525-5273 / online at www . pedigree . com / update . ( 5 / 17 / 24 )
Viva of North Carolina : Recalling one lot of Viva Duck for Dogs ( Ground ), Viva Duck for Dogs ( Chunked ), Viva Duck for Cats and Viva Pure Duck ( for cats and dogs ) due to potential Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination . Info : ( 919 ) 371-8882 between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday . ( 1 / 27 / 24 )
Blue Ridge Beef Breeders Choice of Statesville , NC : Expanding its voluntary recall of Blue Ridge Beef Puppy Mix , due to Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes contamination . Info : 704-880-4500 Monday through Friday 8am – 5pm . ( 1 / 4 / 24 )
Source : dogfoodadvisor . com , amva . org
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