UA Students, Area High-Schoolers Create “TNR” Week

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Psychology students at The University of Alabama and students at Tuscaloosa County High School have partnered to establish “Trap-Neuter/Spay-Release Week” in Tuscaloosa and Northport.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and Northport Mayor Donna Aaron have proclaimed “Trap-Neuter/Spay-Release Week” to be observed April 17 through April 22.

Tuscaloosa County High School students hope to raise awareness of the plight of feral cats in the city and county and the prospect of effective and humane community management to reduce their number and negative impact on neighborhoods and businesses, said Dr. Jeffery G. Parker, UA associate professor of psychology.

Undergraduate students in Dr. Parker’s “Youth Development and Civic Engagement” class have worked with Tuscaloosa County High School students to create banners and artwork discussing the advantages of TNR over other feral cat management options and are approaching area merchants to ask their support.

“An estimated 6,000 feral, abandoned, or abused and discarded cats inhabit the fields, alleys, storm pipes, basements, and waste containers of Tuscaloosa neighborhoods and businesses,” Parker said. “Research shows that the fate of most of these cats is death, disease, or dismemberment through accident or in shelters. Management of feral cat colonies by removal and euthanasia is costly and does not effectively reduce their numbers. However, Trap-Neuter/Spay-Return is a proven method of humanely controlling feral cat populations by reducing reproduction.”

TNR Week will include several community education booths throughout the week and art projects. In conjunction with younger students at Davis-Emerson Middle School and students from other high schools, Tuscaloosa County High School students have created banners and artwork discussing the advantages of TNR over other feral cat management options and approaching area merchants to ask their support.

The students are supported by donors and TSNIP.org, a local non-profit organization with the mission of reducing the unwanted pet population in the cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport through education and direct TNR services.

TNR Week Events:

• Tuesday, April 18, 11 a.m. – Informational booth at The University of Alabama Ferguson Center.
• Wednesday, April 19 – Canvasing local merchants in Northport to ask their support and permission to display posters
• Thursday, April 20 – Informational booth in downtown Northport
• Saturday, April 22 — Informational booth during A-Day game tailgating

Parker’s psychology students study the scientific literature on how and why young teens get involved in community activities and how meaningful community involvement can positively influence their education and development. They then apply this knowledge outside the classroom to real world and local problems. The class works each spring semester with middle school and high school students on advocacy and service projects.

For more information, Parker can be contacted at J.G.Parker@ua.edu or 205/348-2081.