Current Programs:
Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return (TNR): TNVR is proven to be the best, most humane method of feral cat population control, and of reducing the incidence of feline diseases. If a homeless female cat has not been spayed, she can produce three to four litters in one year with an average of four to six kittens per litter. Over a seven-year period, one unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce almost 5,000 kittens!
TNVR involves humanely trapping adult cats, getting them spayed or neutered, ear tipped, and vaccinated, and then returning them back to their environment. Ear tipping is done by a veterinarian during spay/neuter surgery in order to identify that a cat has been spay/neutered. This prevents redundant trapping of feral cats. We will partner with local veterinarian practices to secure spay/neuter procedure dates and prices and best prices for other medical care.
Our goal is to locate and map local cat colonies, work to TNVR as close to 100% of each colony as possible, then move on to the next colony. Our plan for a strong TNVR program is imperative to a successful reduction in cat and kitten hunger, overpopulation and feline illness in feral cat colonies. We will form a group on social media to list and discuss the feral cat colonies in the area with other non-profit TNVR agencies so together, we can focus on full colony TNVR. Community education, training, and support will be a tremendous part of our program for follow up colony management and monitoring.
TNVR as a means of reducing feral feline overpopulation is endorsed by numerous well-respected animal welfare organizations including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Humane Society of the United States, and the National Animal Control Association.
Public Education and Training: The Sanctuary provides community education and training in both English and Spanish through our website, social media, and direct contact for TNVR (trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return) and for follow up cat colony monitoring and care. Educational content includes the importance of spay/neutering you home pet! Many people in PR do not do this due to available finances and other variables. Training content includes how to TNVR cats, cat colony tracking, monitoring, and cat colony follow up care.
Cat Adoption: When a cat or kitten ends up at the Sanctuary, the ultimate goal is to get them adopted into a safe, caring, loving, forever home. Their photos and descriptions will be placed on PetFinder, Facebook, and Instagram pages by our social media manager. This information will also be listed in other adoption networks in Puerto Rico and in the US mainland. We make it as easy as possible to adopt a cat or kitten from Puerto Rico. An adoption form is filled out by the potential adopters, then each adopter is screened (through interviews and videos of their home) to ensure a safe and appropriate home for the adoptee. If the cat or kitten is adopted off island, specific airlines are amenable to cat travel when the kitten/cat is in an approved animal carrier. and has a health certificate endorsed by a veterinarian. The carrier is placed under the seat and the cat remains with its human companion for the entire flight. The Sanctuary partners with a network of "Flight Angels," to match travelers who are flying off island with animals who are heading to the mainland.
Neonatal kitten care is a specialized program for motherless kittens, provided by one of the founders and Board member Sue Westfry. If, for some reason, a mother cat is unable to care for her young kittens, these kittens become abandoned and left to die. Neonatal kitten care is intensive and expensive but through onations, grant money, we can continue with this very challenging but satisfying care. The Sanctuary care includes nutrient dense prescription based kitten formula and incubation as needed. Neonatal care entails bottle feedings three times a night and throughout the day every two hours. This is a labor of love. When appropriate, nutritional solid foods will be introduced. The average cost of caring for a motherless kitten for its first eight weeks of life is $650. When the kittens are ready (approximately 5 months old) they are spay/neutered and vaccinated, and listed as adoptable pets on our social media pages and adoption networks.
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