About TAP

Welcome to TAPworks!

TAP stands for Trap-Alter-Protect and is a tool for combating our burgeoning feral cat population. TAP is not TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release or Trap-Neuter-Return). TNR does not protect cats. Furthermore, feral cat colony management (which takes place in an open system) does not protect wildlife. The goal of TAP is to remove felines from the environment by humanely trapping them, spaying or neutering (altering), and then socializing or taming for placement into loving homes or providing permanent sanctuary. TAPworks believes that TNR does not result in humane outcomes for our feline companion animals. We believe (as a last resort) that euthanasia is a more compassionate outcome for these cats rather than re-abandoning them outdoors - condemned to live mediocre to miserable lives and to die likely from some trauma or illness. However, our goal here is to promote the adoption and sanctuary of feral cats.

Regarding managed cat colony programs, the American Veterinary Medical Association has stated that "An insignificant percentage of the total number of unowned free-roaming and feral cats are being managed by humane organizations. Consequently, the reduction in the total number of free-roaming cats these programs will effect is insignificant".

Trapping and Removing cats, which has been proven to work when the artificial food source is also removed, is another method used to combat overpopulation.

Given the fact that there are so many feral and free-roaming cats (70 million estimated in the US), no method of controlling, containing, or eliminating them would seem to make a statistically significant dent in their population. For that to happen, attitudes must change.

We must place value on the lives of companion animals and be more responsible caretakers.This means spaying and neutering our pets and not letting them roam freely. Education is our best tool for affecting change. There should be more low-cost spay/neuter options for pet owners and massive anti-abandonment campaigns. Folks need to treat the decision of whether or not to get a pet seriously and make a commitment for the life of that animal. Until these changes take place, we will continue to be witness to the suffering of homeless animals.

Opening your home to a feral cat is a unique experience. Feral cats are unsocialized to humans, but they are still domestic animals. Whether feral, stray or pet, domestic cats are companion animals and their home is not outdoors. They are not wildlife.

As a result of having little or no human contact, feral cats tend to be fearful of us. They may run and hide when a human approaches or show aggression through hissing and other physical displays. While there is no critical window for taming a feral cat, generally speaking, the younger the cat – the easier to tame. Young kittens can be tamed with little effort. Older kittens may require more time. Even adult feral cats can turn into wonderful lap cats given time and patience. Many TNR advocates will state that adult feral cats are no different than wild animals like raccoons and do not adjust to indoor living. Furthermore, they state that these animals are not adoptable and that trying to socialize these animals is a waste of time and resources.

We disagree. To those of us who have successfully done this time and time again, we know how special these cats are and what a rewarding experience this is. Some animals do not come around and never learn to trust humans, however we find this to be the exception and not the rule. However, we do not advocate that any animal should be kept in a state that maintains a poor quality of life. If a proper sanctuary cannot be found, we recommend euthanasia. We will never release a domestic companion animal outdoors knowing the risks to the cat and to wildlife.

As stated earlier, decreasing the numbers of feral cats probably will not happen as a result of a particular method. We may never have an impact on quantity. But, we can have an impact on quality. How we make a difference is in the lives of the animals that cross our path and the families that adopt them.

On this website we will offer you:

Tap into our resources… TAP does work!!!

Website design donated by Dovetail Concepts, Inc.
Logo Artwork by Judy Scott