Los Angeles recently approved a largescale trap-neuter-return (TNR) project called the Citywide Cat Program to reduce the number of homeless cats and kittens in the city.

An estimated 20,000 stray cats will be spayed or neutered each year under the program.  Experts say that over the course of 30 years, this will prevent the birth of 1.2 million unowned kittens.

In addition to TNR, the Citywide Cat Program will also vaccinate the trapped cats and conduct a public education and outreach program to discourage the feeding of community cats, which can attract nuisance wildlife.

The stray cat advocacy organization Alley Cat Allies applauds this news, noting that the program will make this the largest TNR program in the US.

Alley Cat Allies notes that this program has been in the works for years, and has overcome a number of hurdles, including opposition from some groups that did not understand the value of TNR.

Community spay/neuter programs that are free for stray cats and low-cost for owned cats are an effective way to humanely deal with cat overpopulation issues in cities and towns of all sizes.

To learn more about TNR, check out the Neighborhood Cats website…and be sure to spay/neuter your cats and keep them safe and secure at home.