Info
A cat trap
This page contains information on cat colony neutering. This procedure is internationally known as Trap-Neuter-Return.
Catching the Animals
If tame, felines are caught by hand. When wild or untamed, specially designed traps are used. The animals are then taken to a veterinary clinic to be neutered the following day, after fasting. Besides being neutered, all cats are treated for internal and external parasites and a small portion is removed from the tip of the left ear in a straight line cut, an international sign indicating a neutered feline.
Post-ops
Males may be freed the day after surgery (after being injected with a 48h-duration antibiotic during the operation). Female cats must take antibiotics for 5 days. They are kept in a confined transportation box with newspaper on the bottom and the medicine is mixed with food every day (the pill is inserted in a small amount of canned cat food and additional food is only provided after the antibiotics have been ingested). The newspaper is changed every day to ensure the boxes are kept clean and fresh water is always at the cat’s disposal.
Neutered feline with the left ear tipped
After the mandatory 5 days, females are freed without needing to remove any surgical stitches or bandages (vets must be asked to use self-absorbing stitches and not to put any bandages or Elizabethan collars on the wild or untamed feline).
Some care is required when changing the newspaper on the confinement boxes to ensure the cat doesn’t run off. One should slightly open the box's door, remove the used newspaper and place the clean one over the cat (she will eventually move, getting the paper under her). Usually cats won’t attempt to run off, remaining at the far end of the box, however, it is always wise to get this done in a closed room (a storage room or a bathroom with a shut door will do just fine), just in case the feline decides to surprise you.
Post-operations procedures are easy to perform and anyone can manage to spare a small space to store a transportation box.
Nota: the Animais de Rua project supports individuals or groups of people wishing to neuter stray animals by doing field demonstrations and, if needed be, by lending traps (payment of a damage or misplacement fee is required in advance).