On the page called "How Can I Make a Difference?" I explored some basic ways we can positively impact the welfare of animals even if animal welfare is not the central cause in our lives. I touched briefly on TNR on the page called "Feral & Stray Cats - What Does That Mean?" but here it is again. TNR stands for trap, neuter, release and is a humane response to the stray and feral cat population explosion. It helps lower the numbers of outdoor cats over time, and helps them to be healthier without risky outdoor births. For all you ever wanted to know about TNR in very clear articles see the Alley Cat Allies website, listed on my links page.

TNR enthusiasts speak of spaying and neutering an entire colony (outdoor group) within a short period of time. This effectively stops the breeding within the entire group. This is wonderful but personally I own my own business which naturally takes a lot of focus so I cannot and/or choose not to give it the time, energy, and money necessary for that at this time. This is why "Tiny TNR" was created. TNR work, one tiny step at a time. I want to do some TNR but only so much.

Every cat on the street that you spay or neuter reduces the future outdoor population exponentially. I feel that there are other people like me, who would either do just a little or no TNR work at all, and for them I offer up this example. Who knows, maybe some will move on to trapping and managing entire colonies, but for those who only ever do Tiny TNR type work, I say that they have helped and made a difference. In many cases, doing some TNR with knowledge and care is better than doing none at all.

At first I started Tiny TNR with two women I knew, Jenny Morse and Jenny Volpe. They worked with me for the first and second trapping nights, described below. Then for different personal reasons they decided they were done with trapping, though they both found it exciting and memorable. Since then the feeding person near the old trapping site in Edgewater, Chicago (near Tree House) has contacted me. This once again opens up trapping possibilities even though I have moved away. If I find dedicated people to help Tiny TNR will continue. Stay tuned!

Decisions Involved - Even with Tiny TNR
The Scoop on Our First Trapping Night April 3, 2007....
Our Second Trapping Night April 17, 2007 - FIV+ Angel