Four months after implementing a specialized trap, neuter and return program (TNR), the City of Eagle River is reporting significant strides in managing its community cat population.

So far the city has successfully sterilized 33 feral cats.

The municipal initiative, which officially launched on Feb. 28, was developed after the city received ongoing concerns from residents regarding expanding feral cat colonies. Citizens had reported repeated litters of kittens and the associated neighborhood impacts that come with a growing unmanaged feline population.

In response to these concerns, city officials researched humane and effective population control solutions and consulted with local animal welfare professionals before launching the current program.

The program operates in partnership with Dr. Maureen Thornborrow and the staff at Northwoods Animal Hospital, where the cats are transported for sterilization surgeries at a reduced cost to the municipality. Currently, the trapping operations are on a temporary hold until July 10.

TNR is widely recognized as a humane method of managing feral cats. By preventing reproduction, the program aims to gradually stabilize and decrease colony sizes over time while also reducing nuisance behaviors.

Under the Eagle River program, felines are humanely trapped in targeted locations known to host feral populations. Following their surgeries, the cats are returned to their original outdoor colonies.

Deb Lundquist, a licensed veterinary technician with 16 years of experience at Northwoods Animal Hospital, was a major advocate for bringing the TNR program to the Northwoods region.

The clinic was motivated to take action alongside the city after receiving numerous calls from residents who were concerned about the unchecked reproduction of local cats.
“This is something I’ve always wanted to be a part of,” Lundquist said. “This is a big issue everywhere.”

TNR protocols

To process the animals efficiently and safely, Thornborrow and her veterinary team utilize a surgical protocol tailored specifically for feral cats, which is shorter than the anesthetic protocol typically used for household pets. The clinic relies on a short-acting anesthetic that only keeps the cats unconscious for a brief period, ensuring they can be returned to their environment immediately following the operation.

For female cats, the staff uses internal sutures during the spay procedure, which eliminates the need for external stitch removal. For male cats, the neuter procedure utilizes an open incision that is left to heal naturally.

“Dr. Maureen is very efficient,” Lundquist said. “The goal here is to get them altered and back to their colony.”

Because of the specialized protocol, neuter procedures are completed in less than 10 minutes, while spays take approximately 20 minutes per cat. Lundquist noted the clinic could perform as many as 20 procedures in a single day, though the highest daily total they have seen so far is eight.

The overall health of the feral cats has also been an unexpected bright spot for the veterinary staff. Lundquist said she has been surprised by their condition, noting that the trapped cats have been well-fed, free of ear mites and carry very few fleas.

“Some of the boys are a little beat-up because they fight, but that’s typical of unneutered cats,” she said.

To easily track which animals have already been sterilized, veterinary staff clip or notch the ears of the cats while they are under anesthesia. This allows vet staff to visually identify cats that have already been altered.

After being on a brief hiatus in recent weeks, the TNR program will resume July 10.

Seeing results

These efforts are already showing visible results. Brad Adamovich, the animal control officer for the City of Eagle River, reported that trappers are seeing notched ears on roughly 40% to 50% of the feral cats in the area. In fact, during the most recent round of trapping collections, every single cat brought into the clinic had already been altered.

“That’s a good sign that we’re getting some repeats that aren’t out there breeding,” he said.
Currently, Adamovich identified two primary “hotspots” where trapping efforts are concentrated: the residential area of downtown Eagle River, and along Sherburn Road near Illinois Road.

To assist with the program’s long-term success, Adamovich stressed that residents need to stop feeding the feral cats. He said providing food draws the animals to specific locations and can create nuisance situations for nearby homes, particularly those with domestic pets that may become upset or affected by the presence of the feral cats.

While the central goal of the TNR program is not to socialize or adopt out adult feral cats, the initiative has resulted in positive outcomes for younger felines.

Both Lundquist and Adamovich noted that trappers have successfully caught several kittens early enough in their development to be removed from the colonies and put up for adoption.
Lundquist, who also fosters orphaned kittens outside of her work at the veterinary clinic, has personally cared for two litters totaling seven kittens through the program.

“I took them in, bottle-fed them, weaned them, and then they went to the humane society,” Lundquist said.

Community participation

City officials maintain that community participation remains critical to the overarching success of the population management effort. The city has reported a positive response from community members who have authorized trapping on their private properties.

When trapping activities are scheduled, residents in the affected areas are notified in advance, and the city places informational signage around the active trapping locations.
Residents who wish to grant the city permission to trap cats in their yards are encouraged to contact Clerk Becky Bolte at city hall to obtain the necessary property owner access authorization forms. Those forms can also be accessed online by visiting the resources section of the city’s website at eagleriverwi.gov/resources/trap-neuter-return-program.

For additional information about the TNR program or to discuss participating, residents can contact Adamovich at 715-479-4330.

The city emphasizes its commitment to addressing the community cat population responsibly and in partnership with residents and local organizations.

To help sustain the ongoing effort, the City of Eagle River is also accepting financial donations from the public. These contributions are used to offset the costs of trapping equipment, veterinary services and other necessary program expenses required to continue the humane management of the cats. Donations can be made payable to the City of Eagle River and mailed to: City of Eagle River, Attn: TNR Program, P.O. Box 1269, Eagle River, WI 54521.