TNR stands for Trap Neuter Return. Basically, it is trapping a cat or dog, spaying or neutering to prevent breeding, safely releasing the animal back to its familiar area, and providing basic food and water so that the cats and dogs which have went through this program can live healthily.
In communities where TNR is widely embraced, the numbers of animals on the streets has declined, and these communities have also seen a reduction in 'problem' behaviors which are often attributed to cats and dogs - mating calls, marking of territories, fighting...
TNR works because it breaks the cycle of reproduction. TNR helps protect public health and advances the goal of reducing the numbers of feral cats in the environment. Current research also shows that cats and dogs which have been spayed or neutered are in many cases healthier and have a reduced risk of certain diseases. We strongly encourage that you consult your vet and spay and neuter any cats or dogs you have in your home, and our TNR program will benefit the animals which unfortunately are not in homes.
So, you have seen a cat or dog on the street, there are no injuries but it is simply living there without a home. Maybe you send us an email or make a frantic phone call hoping we will just rush out and take the animal from you.
In many circumstances we won’t. That is because we do not feel it is in the best long term interest if we are to prevent these kinds of problems from ever occurring.
We will certainly help you though by giving advice, helping you with vets, safely assisting trap the animal, and hopefully ensuring that your rescued cat or dog gets to a loving home.
Many of these animals are feral and will not really be happy in a home. If we just picked up every animal on the street AL would end up using all resources simply caring for these animals in our shelter instead of stopping the real problem.
The best thing which can be done for these cats and dogs, and this is where AL helps, is to humanely trap them, take them to a vet to be spayed or neutered, safely return them to the area they call home, or adopt them into a loving home when appropriate.
We want to see as many animals be safely neutered and returned as possible, and we want to see as many people join in as possible.
If there are animals on the street which you are taking care of, found a cat or dog on the street which does not seem to be lost and looking for its owner, or simply have too many cats or dogs at home and have become overwhelmed, we can help. If you commit to providing food and water to the animals once they have been neutered and returned, then AL commits to helping you.
We can provide advice, trap cages, assist with transport, and help you find a good vet. We may be able to come and see the animals you are caring for, whether this is near your home or on the street, and come up with a solution for you. If you can't trap an animal yourself, we will try and come to assist you.
If you are not doing TNR because of the cost, this is where AL can really assist. We are not going to pay for your pets to be spayed or neutered simply because you don't want to cover the costs yourself, that is your responsibility.
If there are stray or feral cats or dogs that you know about, or if you have become overwhelmed at home, we can assist financially. AL has a limited number of vouchers available for cats and dogs, and through our relationship with local vets, we are able to offer a very reasonable price for this procedure. The savings are passed on to you, with AL making up the difference. In certain circumstances, we will cover the entire cost if you are unable.
You can get these vouchers from AL through this website, by sending us an email or calling AL on 70 223808. These vouchers tell you the vets involved in the program, exactly what is covered by AL and the vets, and what your responsibilities are when using one of these vouchers. Cats can give birth to dozens of kittens per year, which we have all seen on the streets throughout Lebanon. We are also painfully aware of the suffering which dogs go through, being poisoned or shot or worse.
If you are as tired as AL is at seeing all of these animals on the street and the abuse they endure, then join us in doing life saving TNR, and together we will make the difference.
If you are not doing TNR because of the cost, this is where AL can really assist. We are not going to pay for your pets to be spayed or neutered simply because you don't want to cover the costs yourself, that is your responsibility.