Over 5 years ago, an injunction banned city representatives from participating, funding, or educating the public about TNR (Trap/Neuter/Release). A judge had ordered the city to conduct an environmental impact study which was completed over a year ago, yet no steps have been taken to move forward to implement a humane cat plan in the city of Los Angeles.

Currently, LA Animal Services euthanizes all cats deemed feral (cats who are too fearful to be handled by humans), even cats who come in with an ear tipped which is the universal sign that someone has spent time, money, and energy to fix the cat and return it to its community.

This injunction has resulted in an increase in the number of un-fixed free-roaming cats who, because they are known to be prolific breeders, produce thousands of kittens each year who end up in the city’s shelters, most of whom don’t make it out alive. In the fiscal year 2013-2014, LA Animal Services euthanized 4,738 feral cats and unweaned kittens. Between July 1 – December 31, 2014, the city has already killed 2,672 and judging by the numbers for first 6 months of 2014, the city is on course to kill even more cats this year (just over 4,800).

A study done in the San Jose, CA shelter system proves that TNR works:

• Cat intakes were reduced by 29%
• Cat euthanasia dropped by 67%
• There was a 20% decline in dead cats being picked up off the street, both because there were fewer cats and neutered cats roam less
• Upper respiratory infections in the shelter declined by 99%
• The shelter saved money because it costs more to impound, hold, and kill a cat than it does to participate in a TNR program
• The reduction of cat intakes allowed the staff to focus on other areas of operation

According to the ASPCA, TNR helps feral cats because “by stabilizing the population, cats will naturally have more space, shelter and food, and fewer risks of disease. After being spayed or neutered, cats living in colonies tend to gain weight and live healthier lives.” The ASPCA also noted that “By neutering males cats, you also reduce the risk of injury and infection, since intact males have a natural instinct to fight with other cats. Spaying also means female cats do not go into heat. That means they attract fewer tom cats to the area, reducing fighting. If cats are sterilized and live in a colony that has a caretaker, they may live more than 10 years.”

The city shelter is a place where people come for information about all things animal related and to prohibit city representatives from participating, funding and educating the public about TNR has only led to the deaths of over 27,000 feral cats and unweaned kittens since July 2010. The time has come for the city of Los Angeles to implement a humane cat plan. Nonprofit animal welfare groups and volunteers are ready and willing to help, but we need city officials to lead the way.