The Best Time to Start a TNR Project
If you’ve ever seen a stray cat population growing in your neighborhood, you probably know how quickly things can spiral out of control. But here's the good news: the best time to start a TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) project is before that happens. If you're reading this and it’s already a bit late for that, don't worry—the second best time is now!
With spring around the corner, this is the ideal moment to prevent more kittens from being born and continuing the cycle of suffering. Thankfully, there are more resources than ever to help get stray cats spayed, neutered, and vaccinated. Whether you’re new to TNR or an experienced volunteer, here are five key resources you can use in Japan to make a real difference for stray cats in your area.
Resource 1: Use a Trapping and Transport Service
TNR can be a logistical challenge, and one of the most helpful services you can use is a trapping and transport service. These organizations can assist with the tricky task of setting up traps, safely catching the cats, and transporting them to veterinary clinics for surgery. One of our favorites is Nekokaramesen, which operates in Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Tokyo. They’re known for their affordable services and experience in handling TNR projects. Their team can help you find low-cost surgical options, and their expertise ensures that your project has the best chance of success.
Resource 2: Use Spay/Neuter Clinics
Spay/neuter clinics offer an affordable and streamlined way to get cats sterilized. These clinics specialize in surgeries, so the process is quick and often less expensive than traditional veterinary services. Many clinics will even sterilize cats as young as 2-3 months old, which is especially helpful for reducing future generations. In addition, they often include parasite treatments and vaccinations as part of the package, and they mark sterilized cats with an eartip, making it easy to spot them in the future.
Some of the top clinics to check out include:
Tokyo: Inunekokyusainowa
While some of these clinics have strict drop-off and pick-up times, the experience they have with unsocialized cats makes the extra effort worthwhile.
Resource 3: Use Spay/Neuter Tickets
For those who are willing to navigate some administrative steps, Japan has a nationwide program called Dobutsukikkin that provides spay/neuter tickets for free or at a reduced cost. The process involves submitting an application in Japanese to receive tickets for approved clinics. This can be a game-changer if you’re managing a large number of cats, as it significantly reduces costs.
Resource 4: Take Advantage of Government Subsidies
Many local governments in Japan are now supporting TNR programs with financial subsidies. While these subsidies may not cover the full cost of surgery, they can make spay/neuter procedures much more affordable.
To find the subsidies available in your area, simply search online in Japanese for your local government’s support programs. For example, in Kyoto, the local government offers discounts for spay/neuter surgeries, which you can find on their website: Kyoto City Spay/Neuter Subsidy Information.
Resource 5: Use Online Rehoming Sites for Friendly Cats
While the goal of TNR is often to return sterilized cats to their original location, some friendly or very young cats may benefit from being rehomed. Japan has several online platforms where you can find adoptive homes for these cats, helping them find safer, permanent homes.
Two good resources for rehoming cats in Japan are:
Remember, when rehoming, it’s crucial to screen potential adopters carefully. Always visit the home and ensure that the cat’s future environment is safe.
While winter might seem like an inconvenient time for TNR, it’s also a critical period for controlling the spring kitten boom. That said, colder temperatures come with special considerations.
After surgery, cats must be kept in a temperature-controlled environment for about 24 hours to recover. This is particularly important when temperatures drop. You can arrange for the clinic to keep the cats overnight or, if you're doing the trapping and transport yourself, make sure to keep the cats inside traps in a warm space.
Also, never leave traps out overnight or unattended for long periods, as this can put the cats at risk of harm or hypothermia.
This is the perfect time to get involved in a TNR project and make a lasting impact on your community’s stray cat population. The resources mentioned above can help you get started quickly and efficiently, and with a little planning, you can prevent the suffering that comes with unchecked feline overpopulation.
For more TNR tips, check out these articles: