(PIKES PEAK REGION) — The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) has potentially prevented around half a million cats from being added to the feral population in the region, according to HSPPR. While that estimation sounds like an extreme exaggeration, the hypothetical total is based on real numbers.
HSPPR’s Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program is important because life as a feral cat isn’t safe or easy, as there isn’t always enough food, shelter, or care, and illness and injury are common. But many cats aren’t accustomed to living indoors and thrive better in outdoor colonies, so a good way to prevent overpopulation is to catch and neuter them and then return them to their colonies.
According to HSPPR, in one year, a single unspayed feral female cat can have 3 litters, about 12 kittens. If half of those are females, then in the second year, there would be a potential of 72 new cats, in the third year, 432, and in year four, 2,592. That means by the fifth year, there is the potential for there to be as many as 15,552 cats.
Because life is so difficult for feral cats, not all of them would survive to adulthood, which is another reason that TNR is so important.
On Thursday, Sept. 11, HSPPR held a mass TNR day with the help of JJ’s Helping Paws and Happy Cats Haven. Traps were set in 15 different spots, and as a result, 37 female cats were spayed, 35 males were neutered, and 72 cats were vaccinated, examined, and given a better chance at a healthy life.
If the above math is applied, and one cat can bring about a potential 15,552 new cats in five years, that means that with 37 female cats spayed, HSPPR prevented more than half a million cats from being added to the population in just one day. Additionally, HSPPR has processed 1,122 cats through their TNR program in Colorado Springs.
For those cats already living in feral colonies, HSPPR heads up the community cat service, with volunteer Colony Managers who oversee the local cat populations in approved areas. Caretakers ensure the colony has steady food, clean water, and safe shelter, and they assist in TNR, vaccination, and health check efforts. The care the colony cats receive allows them to live the outdoor lives where they are happiest, while staying safe and healthy.