Community Cat Diversion Program
Richland County’s Community Cat Diversion Program operates under the guides of the proven Trap Neuter Return Method. This method reduces cat overpopulation in an effective and humane manner.
Citizens play an essential role in the success of the Community Cat Diversion Program. Citizens who want to trap free-roaming or stray cats near their homes, or in their neighborhoods will be provided with spay/neuter vouchers that can be used at Pawmetto Lifeline or the Humane Society. Community cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and ear-tipped. After recovery, the cats are returned to their outdoor home. To request vouchers or borrow a trap from Animal Care, contact the Ombudsman’s office at 803-929-6000.
Animal Care Officers will pick up injured, sick, or cats involved in bites/attacks. Healthy free-roaming cats will remain in the community.
Pawmetto Lifeline
(803) 465-9150
1275 Bower Pkwy
Columbia, SC 29212
https://pawmettolifeline.org/medical-services/spay-neuter-clinic/
The Humane Society
(803) 783-1267
405 Greenlawn Dr
Columbia, SC 29209
https://humanesc.org/
Benefits of the Community Cat Diversion Program
TNR Saves Kittens - Every time a feral cat has kittens, it significantly lowers the odds that other kittens in shelters will be adopted. With so many cats inundating the shelters, competition for homes is fierce. By spaying and neutering feral cats, we reduce the cat population, which in turn reduces the number of cats that are turned into shelters for adoption. Unfortunately, feral kittens are not adoptable without extensive training first, and if a kitten does not get adopted in a shelter, it is likely to be subject to euthanasia. TNR can help prevent this.
TNR Prevents Overpopulation of Feral Cats - Getting feral and stray cats spayed or neutered prevents them from reproducing, helping to stop the rising cat overpopulation. This can help the quality of life for feral cats, help reduce the number of cats around your neighborhood, and reduce the spread of disease and the number of cat deaths.
Feline Nuisance Behavior is Reduced by TNR - One major complaint about feral cats is their behavior. Many cats will participate in excessive fighting, whether it territorial, food-related, over a female cat, etc. This can lead to loud noise outside of your home. Another behavior that is common among feral cats is spraying their urine on structures around your property to mark their territory. Nuisance behavior becomes more rampant when feral cats breed in sheltered areas close to or in homes it can lead to property destruction. It is a fact that when cats are spayed or neutered, there is a decrease in this kind of behavior, making living among feral cats much more pleasant.
TNR is the Most Cost-Effective and Humane Way to Control the Feral Cat Population - TNR can help save shelters, pounds and animal control agencies a significant amount of money. For one cat to participate in the TNR program, it is half the cost of euthanizing that same cat.
TNR-Cats Provide Excellent Rodent Control - Cats are natural born hunters. Free-roaming cats find many of their meals in rodents that are living around your home. Having feral cats controlling the rodent population can prevent rodents from making their way into your home and getting into your food supply. Reducing the rodent population also protects your pets from coming into contact with them, and the diseases they carry.
TNR-Cats Live Healthier, Happier Lives - There are many forms of cancer and diseases that can be associated with having an excessive amount of pregnancies in cats. When a female cat has too many pregnancies it promotes mammary, uterine, and other health problems. Spaying cats is a way to keep cats healthier and prevent premature deaths. Cats that are spayed also do not go into heat, which attracts fewer tomcats, resulting in less fighting and injury. Neutered and spayed cats also live longer, and remain in the same colony for a longer period of time.