Capture-Sterilize-Release-Hold

In 2018, Proanima implemented a CSRM (Capture, Sterilization, Release, and Maintenance) program for stray cats belonging to colonies. This program helps control feline overpopulation in the territories of Longueuil, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. In partnership with our client cities, the shelter hopes to improve the fate of community cats through this process.

What is this ?

The CSRM Program aims to capture, examine, vaccinate and sterilize stray cats from within their colonies. If they are healthy enough, they are then released into their original area and then kept in their habitat with the support of volunteer citizens called “colony guardians”. With the help and support of the shelter, these people provide food and shelter to these cats who can continue to live as before.

Why do CSRM?

Developed in many cities and countries around the world, including the United States, the CSRM program is one of the most effective ways to combat the reproduction of stray cats. Unsterilized cats reproduce very quickly and thus contribute to creating several problems within the community such as being a nuisance for the neighborhood (territorial marking, cat fights, cat in heat) along with cats developing diseases, being undernourished, and increasing the birthrate leading to unwanted kittens being abandoned in refuges, etc.

The CSRM allows cats to live in their natural habitat with protection and food.

What are the steps?

• Capture

Colony cats can be safely captured using a capture cage. These metal cages are made so that the door closes automatically when the cat is inside. Food is first placed in the cage to attract the cat. The cat may be then transported to the shelter for sterilization. The process is absolutely safe, the cage does not hurt the animal. The shelter offers capture cages for rental to citizens of our client cities.

Learn more about capture cages

• Sterilization

The process here is exactly the same as for our cats for adoption: fasting for several hours before surgery, general anesthesia, general examination and vaccination (we do the examination at this stage when the cat is asleep) and surgical operation. In order to identify the cat as being properly sterilized, the veterinarian trims about 1 cm from the tip of the left ear. This painless and universal process makes it possible to easily recognize a sterilized cat within a colony.

• The release

Once awake and fed, the volunteer citizen comes back to get the cat and then releases it into its original habitat where it can resume its previous life.

• Maintenance

Thanks to the participation of citizens living near these colonies, the cats are kept in their natural habitat. Their progress and health monitored, while being sheltered to withstand extreme temperatures.

Interested in becoming a CSRM program participant and helping community cats?

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