Good morning! I just saw your post on outdoor cats and I was wondering what you thought about TNR programs, especially ones that do not test for FIV/FeLV. I'm a kill shelter tech at a no-kill conference and have been told numerous times by people here that 'testing is too expensive' or that, since the cats were found outside, 'they have already done their damage'. Your opinion?
Hmmm to be honest I’m not super familiar with TNR programs. Theoretically they make sense, but I’ve heard arguments on both sides with little sources to back up reasoning. I’d like to learn more though. However, I do know that there is a quick and easy FIV/FeLV combo snap tests that I’ve been told is not that expensive. To be fair, I’ve never had to order them so I don’t know how much they cost in bulk so I guess I can’t say for sure. I don’t really like the thinking that “they have already done their damage” though. Considering they can continue to spread FIV or FeLV to other cats for the rest of their life, even if that life is short, I don’t think that’s a good mindset to be in. But, then you get into question of what do you do with FIV/FeLV positive cats? Euthanize them? No-kill shelters are probably not going to go for that, and I’m sure that raises ethical questions on both sides of the argument. Adopt them out? Feral cats may never adjust to life around humans and can be constantly stressed/hard to live with. Working/barn cat programs? They’ll still be out in the environment, though you could argue their access is a little more controlled, but there’s only so many homes for cats like that. Sanctuaries? Sanctuaries are already so full of unwanted animals. I don’t have a good answer for this one.