CALICO (Cat Alliance Located in Central Ohio) was founded in September 2011 and consists of a small group of members/volunteers. Our group raises funds through raffles, craft sales, donations and other fundraisers to provide low cost TNR (Trap,Neuter/Spay and Return) for stray/feral cats living in central Ohio. Check out our Raffle/Events page for current raffle and upcoming events.
We are fervent supporters of Trap-Neuter-Return because it is the only effective approach to cat management. We'd like to briefly explain some of the science behind feral cat populations. First and foremost, feral cats will always exist. Some people are under the mistaken impression that there is a choice between having cats in their neighborhoods and not having cats. Catching and killing cats has failed for decades. It does not decrease feral cat populations. Trap-Neuter-Ret...urn does effectively stabilize feral cat populations. Under TNR, cats are humanely trapped, neutered, vaccinated, eartipped for identification, and returned to their outdoor homes. TNR makes feral cats healthier and ends the breeding cycle, which means no more kittens. It also ends mating behaviors including yowling, fighting, spraying, and roaming. Colonies that are involved in TNR diminish in size over time. During an 11-year study of TNR at the University of Florida, the number of cats declined by 66% with no new kittens being born after the first four years of operation. A very successful TNR program in Jacksonville, Fla., has spayed/neutered 20,000 cats since 2008, and as a result, the number of cats killed in the city’s shelter decreased nearly 60%. More and more communities are embracing TNR. According to a recent study by Alley Cat Allies, more than 340 cities and counties participate in TNR. Outdoor cats have been part of our landscape for thousands of years, and always will be. We urge you to support TNR in your community. Thank you.
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