Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) entails trapping, neutering, vaccinating, ear-tipping and returning community cats to their original outdoor locations. It is not only the most humane method of preventing cats from entering the shelter system, it’s the most effective. TNR also ensures the health and welfare of the cats. Once these cats are sterilized and vaccinated, they can live healthy, happy lives in their communities, where caring residents look out for them. Sterilization and vaccination provide a public health benefit to the community, too; a vast improvement over the failed trap-and-kill approach that’s been used for generations.

Feeding feral cats on a schedule is critical. If cats know they’ll find a meal they form a habit of coming to a certain place at a certain time. This makes trapping by our volunteers much easier. Volunteers and local people feed and monitor the health of the colony cats once they are returned to their original location. This frequent monitoring is invaluable because caregivers can easily identify new cats that join the colony so they too can be sterilized, vaccinated and ear-tipped.

Feeding cats, whether to trap them for surgeries or to sustain them after they are returned, is also beneficial for both the city and Gila County. Vaccinated cats are not as susceptible to disease and parasites that can be passed on to domestic animals and humans. Feeding contributes to the preservation of wild songbirds, quail and dove, and helps to control rodent infestations.

In late November 2019, the High Desert Humane Society implemented a TNR program in the city of Globe. Feral cats are neutered, and receive rabies vaccinations and ear-tipping (for identification). Females receive pain relief after the spay surgeries. To date the TNR program has spayed and neutered over 415 feral cats (each female cat may bear as many as 180 kittens over its lifetime). We currently owe more than $7,000 for spay/neuter and vaccination costs. The HDHS is one of the many organizations and businesses in the Globe-Miami area that has been devastated by the coronavirus as we have not been able to have our annual fundraising events and smaller affairs to generate income to keep the organization going. We desperately wish to keep the TNR program alive. To discontinue it now would negate everything we have worked for. To temporarily stop the program and reinstate it at a later date would set us back to square one. We would literally have to start over and all the previous dollars would be wasted.

This program benefits everyone and we desperately need your help to continue. We understand that Covid has financially impacted all of us and money is tight. If you could make a donation - any amount to help us save this cause - it is very much appreciated. We are a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable organization. Donations are tax deductible and you will be given a receipt. Donations can be mailed to us at P. O. Box 383, Claypool, AZ 85532 or dropped off at our thrift store at 150 W. Mesquite St. in Globe. Thank you so much in advance for your compassion and generosity.