04. Aug, 2010 
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Reducing Feral Cat Population One Cat at a Time
Northern Virginia benefits from D.C. Humane Society program.
By Sandy Levitz Lunner
On the second Sunday of every month, a group of dedicated animal lovers sets out traps throughout the Greater Metropolitan area, including Alexandria, Arlington, Mount Vernon, Manassas and Fairfax County.
Although it doesn’t sound like something an animal lover would do, it truly is an act of love according to Alyson Burgess of the Humane Society of Washington, D.C. Burgess is the director of the Cat Neighborhood Partnership Program or CatNiPP.
“We’re trying to help neighborhoods and property owners face the problems with feral cats,” Burgess said, “all while treating the cats in a humane and ethical manner.”
The program is for strays and feral cats only. A feral cat is one that was born in the wild and is usually a generation away from being a domestic, Burgess said.
The Humane Society of Washington, D.C. developed the program in 2006 based on similar programs in other areas known as Trap, Neuter, Release or TNR. But there are two striking differences between TNR and the version developed by CatNiPP.
“First,” Burgess said, “we trap, neuter and return the cats to their neighborhood colony rather than release them in the wild. And, we’ve added an ‘M’ to the end for ‘Management.’
“So, we’re actually a ‘TNRM’ program. We make sure the cats continue to be fed and cared for.”
And, it works, according to Burgess, because it addresses the root of the problem — the breeding.
“Through CatNiPP,” she said, “the cats are humanely trapped and brought to our clinic where they are neutered, vaccinated and generally examined.”
During surgery, the cats are also eartipped, a procedure that clips just the tip of one ear. That’s a signal to animal control officers and future trappers that the cats have been treated by a veterinarian and are part of a planned colony.
One of the volunteer veterinarians is Dr. Elton Vyfhuis who, together with Dr. Nia Perkins, owns and operates Paws, Purrs and Exotics Animal Hospital in Old Town, Alexandria. In addition to helping with surgeries and treating for parasites and other diseases, Vyfhuis helps set traps as well.
“We caught 90 cats just this month — mostly in Fairfax and Manassas. One of my technicians came with us and it was a good learning experience,” Vyfhuis said.
“It’s my give-back to society.” Sometimes the traps have a surprise occupant, according to Vyfhuis.
“We get wild animals in the traps — including snakes. That’s how I got my current pet snake,” he said.
“It’s a lavender snake we found in a trap that was placed at 21st and Connecticut Streets in the District.”
Vyfhuis had some theories about how a snake ended up taking a stroll on Connecticut Avenue in the District. Although he agreed that the snake might have escaped from a cage, he said it was more likely that someone let it go after realizing they weren’t up to caring for it.
“Maybe when it came time to feed their new pet,” he offered, “they realized feeding a live mouse to a snake wasn’t something they could actually do — even though that’s what the snake needs.
“Some snakes are herbivores, but others need live meat, and if you don’t feed it right, it will end up having health problems.”
Burgess said she’s also heard tales of surprise guests in the CatNiPP traps, although she wasn’t familiar with the doctor’s snake.
“Sometimes a neighbor’s pet cat wanders in. Sometimes a raccoon, opossum or even a stray dog gets in the trap and, of course, the volunteer has to let them go,” Burgess said. “Sometimes, depending on what kind of animal they get, they might have to have animal control release it.
“That’s why,” added Burgess, “you can’t just set the trap and then go out to dinner and a movie. The process has to be managed.”
According to Burgess, the whole process works best if the volunteers who set the traps are able to work with the person in the neighborhood who is feeding the cats since that’s what draws them to an area in the first place. For the trapping to work, the feeder has to start feeding once a day at the same time every day for several days. The night or day before the scheduled trapping, the feeder must withhold the food. If the person feeds the cats the day the trappings are scheduled to happen, the mission will be unsuccessful.
“Food is what gets the cats in the traps,” Burgess said. “If they’re not hungry, it won’t work.” Next trapping is in early August.
To volunteer, contact: aburgess@washhumane.org
