Feral Cat Control: TVHR Better than TNR

TVHR is more effective than TNR, a study concludes.

This is an interesting study that looks at a modified version of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) to make it more effective. The good thing is that the study takes TNR seriously as a way to manage feral cat colonies. The study indirectly validates the concept of TNR, which to sterilise the cats and leave them where they are. A humane process. Note: the study¹ was a computer simulation. The objective is to carry it out in real life.

So what is TVHR and how does it differ from TNR?

TNR

TNR is well known but it helps to spell out the process. TNR can be called: Trap-Test-Vaccinate-Alter-Release (TTVAR) – “alter” means to neuter (male) or spay (female). The neutering bit of TNR is:

• male: neutering: testicles removed – castration
• female: spaying: removal of the uterus and ovaries

TVHR

The letters stand for Trap-Vasectomies or Hysterectomies-Release

• male: a vasectomy: the tube that carries the sperm is cut
• female: hysterectomy: this is the same as spaying, removal of ovaries and uterus.

The difference between TNR and TVHR is that the male cat is sterilised by castration for TNR and has “the snip” for TVHR.

How can this slight difference make a bit difference in the management of feral cats?

Firstly, the research indicates the following:

Why is this? Apparently there are two reasons:

1. Feral cat colonies – a group of cats – are controlled by a dominant male. If this cat undergoes a vasectomy he retains his sexual hormones and sex drive (as opposed to the castrated cat). He, therefore mates with the females but produces no kittens. If he had been castrated instead he would lose his sex drive and another dominant, breeding, male feral cat would take over the dominant position and seek out females, creating kittens.
2. Also, an intact (non-spayed) female who has mated with a vasectomised male undergoes a 45-day period of pseudo-pregnancy, which is a further barrier to reproduction.

Well, there it is. This is not a magic formula but the study does promote the humane concept of trapping and sterilising feral cats as opposed to simply killing them.

The one downside of TVHR is that the males behave as if they are breeding cats so their behavior is more intrusive for people living in the location of the colony.

Ref: (1) as reported on the website news.nationalgeographic.com (I don’t have a link to the original study, sorry).