OLD BRIDGE – More than 300 feral cats have been trapped, neutered and returned (TNR) since the inception of the program.
“The program does work,” Old Bridge Township Councilwoman Anita Greenberg-Belli said. “I hope that it continues. By spaying and neutering the 300 cats, it stopped the reproduction or else there would have been a thousand more cats.”
TNR is the method of humanely trapping feral cats, having them spayed or neutered, and vaccinated for rabies, and then returning them to their colony to live out their lives.
The program also involves a colony caretaker who provides food, adequate shelter and monitors the cats’ health.
Greenberg-Belli, who has worked as a veterinarian for 34 years, had suggested the creation of a TNR program prior to coming on the council and again when she became a councilwoman.
In March 2017 and after hours of discussion, the council approved an ordinance for a TNR program.
The administrators of the TNR program in Old Bridge include Happy Homes Animal Rescue and Save All Stray Cats, a non profit organization.
Greenberg-Belli said among the 300 cats trapped, neutered and spayed, some 50 were kittens and have been adopted.