We are excited to share our first experience in the "NTVR" project, which stands for "Trap Neuter Vacinate Release" in English. In Spanish, our program is called AVER, corresponding to "Atrapar Vacunar Esterilizar Retornar" (Trap Vaccinate Sterilize Return). It's a significant milestone for us, and we are dedicated to the well-being of animals in our community.
The process is not straightforward; it demands meticulous attention at every step to ensure the success of this program.
The first stage involves gaining their trust, achieved by feeding them over a period. Subsequently, the neighborhood's cat community is analyzed, and the decision is made that it's time to move on to the trapping phase.
Before the day arrives when the cats are in the traps, it is crucial to ensure that we have scheduled the appointment for their sterilization and vaccination. After this process, our street friends will be ready to be returned to the community where they were trapped, and they will be monitored for an additional period of 4 to 8 hours to ensure that the surgery was successful before they can be returned to their habitat.
As volunteers in the AVER program, it is essential to continue with the important task of helping our street cats. We must persist in protecting them, providing food, and staying vigilant in case a new member joins the colony, to restart our caregiving process.
We want to express our gratitude to the
Berkeley County Community Cats
for allowing us to participate in this program.
As an organization, we aim to gain knowledge about it
and spread the message across the Hispanic community,
encouraging them to join us in helping our furry friends.
ABOUT THE PROBLEM
It’s estimated that tens of millions of feral and stray cats freely roam the streets of the United States and breed rapidly!Doing nothing and using ineffective approaches are what have resulted in the current overpopulation problem. Trying to rescue all of the feral cats and find them homes is impossible given their numbers and their limited socialization. Removing or relocating all the feral cats invites new unneutered cats to move in and the cycle of reproduction starts again.
The SOLUTION:
TNRÂ (Trap Neuter Return)Â Â Â
AVER (Atrapar Vacunar Esterilizar Retornar)
The best way to help community cats is to trap them, neuter them, and return them (Trap-Neuter-Return, TNR). This ensures that no more kittens are born, stabilizes cat populations, and improves their lives. It also stops behaviors and stress associated with mating, such as yowling, marking territory, and fighting.
What is the AVER program?
It is the only humane and effective way to address community cat populations.
Basic Steps of the AVER Program:
CAPTURE:Â Humanely trap all cats in a colony. A colony is a group of cats living together outdoors.
VAC CINATE: as part of the AVER program, cats are offered vaccination against rabies, and sometimes they are also given the FVRCP, which stands for "feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia." This common vaccine prevents three highly contagious and potentially deadly feline viruses from spreading among cats.
SPAY/NEUTER: Take the trapped cats to the veterinarian or clinic to have them spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and marked with an "ear tip".
Ear Tip: It is the universal identifier for sterilized and vaccinated community cats, letting people know that a cat is healthy and should be left alone.
RETURN: After the cats have recovered from surgery, return them to their outdoor home where you trapped them.
STEP ONE: PREPARATION FOR CAPTURE
Before you begin trapping, make sure to communicate with neighbors. Let them know you are part of the "TNVR/ AVER" program and how they can assist. Determine how many cats you will trap
and prepare a plan for different or unexpected scenarios, such as trapping lactating females, kittens, friendly cats, and sick or injured cats.
Set a schedule for feeding the cats so they get used to having food in a consistent place and time every day. It is important to coordinate with a veterinarian or a clinic that accepts feral cats for spaying/neutering appointments and to pre-establish a retention and recovery area for the cats.
STEP TWO: CAPTURE
Ensure you have the necessary number of traps, and that they are labeled and functioning properly. Suspend food 24 hours before trapping, but continue to provide water. Cats should be hungry enough to enter the traps but should not eat too much once inside, as they will undergo surgery.
The cats will be scared, so reducing their stress is extremely important. When you finish trapping them, don't forget to count your traps before leaving to ensure that all of them are accounted for.
STEP 3: AFTER SURGERY
Allow the cats to recover overnight in the designated area you've prepared. Keep the traps covered with the cats inside to reduce stress. Monitor the cats to ensure they are recovering properly. If you suspect any complications or observe vomiting, bleeding, or difficulty breathing, call your veterinarian immediately.
STEP 4: RETURN
Return the cats to the exact location where you captured them, so they can go back to the outdoor home they know and reunite with their colony. Provide them with food and water and resume their usual care routine.
¡YOU DID IT!
Thank you for helping improve the lives of community cats.
Compassionate and dedicated individuals like you
make a tremendous difference in communities.
