A community cat during TNR in Granite Shoals, Texas.
This is what community transformation is all about! Today, nearly a year after local advocates in Granite Shoals, Texas, pushed back against disturbing comments about killing community cats made by the former city manager and a wildlife advisory committee, the city is making progress with a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program.
Alley Cat Allies condemned the comments and worked with local advocates and officials in the city to implement and protect TNR, including by providing heavy input on the city’s TNR ordinance—passed in March of 2024. Now we’re helping the community put TNR into action—including with a spay and neuter clinic this past weekend.
Returning cats after TNR in Granite Shoals, Texas.
In two short clinic sessions, more than 50 cats and kittens from Granite Shoals and nearby communities were spayed or neutered and vaccinated. All of the community cats have since been returned to their outdoor homes, eartipped as the universal sign that they were helped through a TNR program.
The clinics, and larger change in the city, were possible because the community united to make it possible. Immediately after the conversation about lethal action was revealed in late 2023, the Granite Shoals Police Department, Hill Country Humane Society, and other local advocates spoke out with Alley Cat Allies to condemn the comments and urge lifesaving TNR instead.
A community cat during TNR in Granite Shoals, Texas.
These elements of the community are those who work together, enthusiastic and motivated, to conduct TNR today. Alley Cat Allies is proud to support their efforts to protect cats and kittens and declare through policy and action: Cats Are CommunityTM in Granite Shoals.
Granite Shoals turned a terrifying situation around. However, discussion of cruel and lethal action against cats, including shooting and poisoning, is still taking place around the world—and is even reflected in policy. Opposition to TNR spreads dangerous disinformation that fuels these deadly approaches. Alley Cat Allies is taking a stand and exposing these lethal government policies by keeping the public informed and providing advocates the tools to educate their communities and advocate for change.
As we celebrate the many cats and kittens whose lives will be improved through TNR in Granite Shoals, we continue to work tirelessly in more communities to end lethal policies and save cats’ lives. We have incredible, dedicated, compassionate supporters who stand with us in this fight, and we are endlessly grateful.
Learn how Alley Cat Allies is exposing lethal government policies in our new video: