Feral cats also become a public nuisance and make up a large portion of the cats euthanized at animal shelters. The plight of feral cats has captured the hearts of animal lovers for many years, but only recently has a non-lethal option for their control become available. This solution successfully decreases the population, reduces birth rates and improves the overall health of the colony. Performed on a large scale, the success of such programs is felt at animal shelters where fewer cats are admitted for euthanasia. Founded in 1996, this clinic is part of a national effort to reduce feral cat populations through free TNR programs for unowned, feral cats.
All cats also receive vaccinations against rabies, feline leukemia and feline distemper.
Operation Catnip permanently crops the left ear of all cats altered in the no-cost clinic. The cropped left ear identifies each cat as stray and sterile. One unaltered cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years. In 1997 Operation Catnip sterilized over 1000 cats which directly prevented the suffering of many thousands more. These caretakers assume the responsibility to trap and transport the cats to and from the clinics.