Bedford Cares
Trap-Neuter-Return
Advocating for the humane management of feral and community cat populations
Who Are We?
Bedford Cares is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community resource for the residents of Bedford County, VA, offering education, guidance, and trapping assistance for the humane management of feral and community cats through Trap-Neuter-Return.
Trap-Neuter-Return
Through TNR, free-roaming cats are humanely trapped, evaluated for medical issues, provided a rabies vaccination, ear-tipped for identification, and sterilized by a licensed veterinarian. They are then returned to their original habitat.
Colony Care
In addition to TNR, Bedford Cares can work with homeowners and colony caretakers to ensure cats have adequate food, shelter, and medical attention. Support may be offered on a case by case basis, and not all applicants will qualify for assistance.
Education
We offer workshops to address the TNR process and educate the public on the challenges faced by free-roaming cats and the neighborhoods in which they reside in an effort to mitigate conflict between cats and property owners.
The Harsh Truth…
⚡More than 70% of ALL cats that enter animal shelters are euthanized and nearly 100% of unsocialized cats that enter shelters are killed, as they are not regarded as eligible for adoption.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Cats as young as FOUR months can get pregnant
- Cats can get pregnant TWO WEEKS after giving birth
- Low-cost spay/neuter options are available! Ask us how!
- Community cats are more often subjected to human brutality, starvation, disease, untreated injuries and illness, and un-ending breeding cycles
- The average life-span of community cats is only 2-3 years
What does it cost?
Bedford Cares has arrangements with local veterinarians for discounted services, and receives minimal grant funding to aid in what could be monumental expenses for property owners. Each cat is spayed/neutered, receives their initial rabies vaccination, is ear-tipped for easy identification, and is evaluated for serious medical conditions, which may be treated at the time of surgery. We ask property owners to contribute to the cost of those cats in their care, and financial needs and assistance are evaluated on a case by case basis.
Does Bedford Cares relocate cats?
Trap-Neuter-Return, as the name implies, is just that. Sterilized cats are RETURNED to their colony location after medical release. It is ILLEGAL in the state of Virginia to relocate unowned cats. Cats who are relocated may be unable to find food or shelter and are more at risk for negative wildlife interactions. Also, because colony cats are part of a community hierarchy, relocations may also cause a “vacuum effect” in the existing colony. Holes in the colony will be quickly filled by other cats who may not be sterilized, or who may introduce disease to the entire population.
Does Bedford Cares take care of feral colonies?
Bedford Cares works with existing colony care providers and property owners to ensure cats are healthy, fed, and sheltered, but we do NOT as an entity claim ownership or management of colonies. Many of our volunteers do, as individuals, provide care for colonies throughout Bedford County. We are happy to provide information on how YOU can begin caring for a colony, or assisting caretakers.
Can I have my cat spayed through Bedford Cares?
Our limited resources are for feral and unowned cats only. For your pet, discounted spay/neuter services are frequently offered through local veterinarians, and we are happy to help you find an upcoming spay event convenient to you.
How can I help?
TNR requires TEAMWORK! We are always in need of trappers, overnight locations and caretakers before/after surgery, transporters, fosters and adopters, call coordinators, helpers at our thrift store, and colony caretakers. Please submit a volunteer application with us TODAY to be part of the community solution.
I’d like to donate!
Every cent of your donation goes directly into our TNR program! The average cost of TNR per cat is $60, not including medical issues or our volunteers’ time, gas, or trapping equipment and supplies. There are MANY ways you can support our program – through direct donations, gifts in kind, or by shopping at our THRIFT STORE or online auction.
You can support our mission to leave no cat behind by visiting our NEW THRIFT STORE!
You can also visit our ONLINE AUCTION, with new items every day!!!
