If you’ve ever seen a cat with the tip of their ear (usually the left one) clipped, you may have wondered if they’ve been injured or if it was a birth defect.
The answer may surprise you.
Ear-tipping is the universal sign that a feral or stray cat has been spayed or neutered as part of a TNR (Trap Neuter Return) program. It’s done while the cat is under anesthesia for their sterilization surgery. It’s painless, heals quickly, and prevents unnecessary retrappings and surgeries.
Some important facts to understand about ear-tipped cats:
- It serves as quick identification for caretakers, trappers, and animal control officers to be able to instantly recognize
- TNR is the most effective and humane method to stop cat overpopulation
- Cats who have been part of a TNR are healthier than other outdoor cats because they’ve been vaccinated, dewormed, and have had vet care
- The visual sign is also a way to educate people about the care of cats
- Not all cats that are ear-tipped are homeless though; many are feral (unsocialized), some just prefer to live outdoors away from humans.
- Many of these cats are adopted if they’re socialized (I have several friends whose cats were ear-tipped)
- If you see one outside, do not relocate it because if they’re a fully outdoor cat, they’re part of a colony with a defined territory and that’s how they stay safe
- You can (if you’re comfortable doing so) put out food and water for them
- If you determine that an ear-tipped cat has an injury, or is sick you should contact your local cat rescue organization or TNR group in case the cat needs medical attention
Here is a list of Philly-area organizations that can help, if needed:
- Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) = https://phillypaws.org/tnr-caring-for-community-cats/
- ACCT Philly = https://acctphilly.org/community-cats/
- The Cat Collaborative = https://www.thecatcollaborative.org/
- Pennsylvania SPCA = https://www.pspca.org/tnr
- PURR Philly = https://www.purrphilly.com/our-work/trap-neuter-return-tnr
- Catadelphia = https://www.catadelphia.org/
- The next time (or maybe your first time?) you see a cat with a clipped ear, just know it was done with act of compassion and kindness. It’s a humane solution to the cat over population problem.
And, please…consider adopting one of these beautiful souls. Some of the organizations listed here do adoption events to make room for other cats in need.
