Yakima has thousands of stray cats, but there is now a program in place to manage the animals.
Feral cats are often too afraid to be approached, and most will never be adoptable, but this population can be managed. Joe Caruso, the Yakima Code Administration Manager, recently made a presentation to the Yakima City Council about the “Trap-Neuter-Return” (TNR) program, which has been found to be effective in communities across the nation. The local program is run by the Yakima Humane Society Spay & Neuter Clinic.
City officials would like residents to help with the program, which saves the lives of animals who would otherwise be destroyed. TNR's name explains the concept – the cats are trapped, neutered or spayed, and then returned to the colonies where they live.
Anyone who wants to participate should call the clinic at 509-426-2460 to make an appointment. Several days before that date, the clinic will loan the resident a humane trap, at no cost to them. The resident will then monitor the trap, and when it is sprung, take the feral cat to the clinic.
Veterinarians will spay or neuter the cat, and give it a rabies shot. After healing from the procedure, the cat will be returned to its home area. The cost for this is $25, and includes the use of the trap, the surgery, and the vaccine. Flyer printing can be used to provide information about programs like this.
