Knott’s Berry farm has 60 to100 cats roaming the park, usually behind the scenes and in back lots. They lack medical care, and should be neutered, vaccinated, fed, and managed. A small group of volunteers is attempting to assist in bettering their welfare by coordinating a trap-neuter-return (“TNR”) system, and seeing that they get all aid required.
Trap-Neuter-Return is successfully practiced and is exactly what it sounds like: Cats are humanely trapped and taken to a veterinarian to be examined, neutered, and vaccinated and feral are ear-tipped. “Ear tipping” is the universally accepted identification for sterilized homeless cats. While under anesthesia, the pointed end of the cats ear is cropped so that it has a square appearance. This allows id from a distance that a cat has already been spayed or neutered. After recovering kittens, and any friendly or socialized cats, will be fostered by local nonprofit rescues and put up for adoption. The rest are then returned to their home and colony—outdoors.
Grounded in science, TNR stops the breeding cycle and therefore improves their lives. It is a fact that the removal and killing of outdoor cats is never ending and futile. Since feral cats are not considered adoptable, most are killed in pounds and shelters.
Proven Track record: Just a short drive away are “The Disneyland Cats”. Residents since opening, today there are about 200 feral cats living in Disneyland’s Parks. In 2001 Disney worked with FixNation, to implement the TNR program. Once the park staff had an understanding of what was required, they began to handle the neuter, medical and other care personally and now manage it internally.
Trying to establish communication with executives at Knott’s has proven to be ineffective. Without park entry granted, the only physical contact is outside the gates and its been difficult to make a positive effect. Recently, volunteers were told that employees have been instructed to no longer feed the cats. In the meantime, cats are reproducing, their health deteriorates and several kittens have been run over.
The KBF Resident Cats are desperate for your voice now. Please sign and show that you care about animal welfare! Help us, help them!
