SCRATCH, Inc.

Please make sure you are following our friends at Chattanooga Feral Cat Alliance!

In the eight years we’ve been doing trap-neuter-return at CHAFCA, we’ve heard our fair share of misconceptions about the process. So today we’re kicking off a series called Myth vs. Truth: TNR Edition, where we’ll tackle some of the most common claims we’ve encountered over the years—and share the facts behind them.

First up: the myth that you need to be able to touch a cat in order to trap them. We’re not sure where this idea came from, but we’ve had several caretakers tell us they’re worried trapping will be difficult because they can’t pick up or pet their colony cats.

But the truth is that TNR uses humane traps specifically designed for feral cats who by definition aren’t socialized to humans, so handling the cats isn’t necessary at all. In fact, trapping is safer and more successful when people avoid approaching the cats and instead allow them to investigate and enter the traps on their own.

As long as the colony is on a consistent feeding schedule, food has been withheld on trapping day, and the site is calm and quiet, the process usually goes smoothly.

What myth about TNR have you heard lately? Share your favorite in the comments, and stay tuned for more of ours!

We are pumped to share that we trapped 10 community cats this Trapping Tuesday! 🙌🏼

Of those 10 cats, half were spayed (including two pregnant spays) and the other half were neutered yesterday at McKamey Animal Center. Everyone also received FVRCP and rabies vaccines, along with flea treatment. ❤️‍🩹

We have also reached the point in the year where the first round of spring kittens are big enough to be fixed. Four of the cats who were fixed yesterday were kittens. 🙀 While it's tough knowing they're still living outdoors, they'll never have to deal with the constant mating and fighting that their parents did. And that's a win in our book.

Our gorgeous Holly is still available for adoption. She has the most adorable face, a stunning tuxedo coat, and is a sweet gentle girl. 🖤🤍

Holly was born outside a grocery store, TNR'd by two of our volunteers in 2025, and then we recently rescued her to the indoor life. She is steadily coming out of her shell in her foster home.

She loves being brushed, enjoys the company of other friendly cats, likes a good afternoon nap, looking out the window at the birds and squirrels, and an evening toy session. Holly leans into pets and is sweet, but she will need to go to a quiet home that is patient and allows her the time to get settled.

Holly is estimated to be under two years old. She is spayed, vaccinated, combo tested (negative), and microchipped. She would love to have other cat friends in her forever home, but she would prefer a home with no small children or dogs. Her adoption fee is $100. You can apply to adopt our precious girl here: https://www.scratchinc.org/adoption.

May TNR Round-Up! 🪤

In May, we trapped, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, flea treated, and returned 22 community cats, including 13 females (with 3 pregnant spays) and 9 males. There are kittens at every colony it seems and every new request for help involves kittens.

This is one of the hardest times of year for those involved in TNR and rescue work. Volunteer groups and shelters are overwhelmed with requests, and there simply are not enough people, resources, funding, or surgery appointments to keep up. The heartbreaking reality is that there will not be placement available for every kitten born this season.

The only long-term solution is spaying and neutering pets and community cats. We know volunteers experiencing their first kitten season right now, and it has been devastating with sick, injured, and suffering cats and kittens all over.

Please support your local volunteer TNR groups and local shelters. We are doing everything we can to make a difference. ❤️🐱