Tails from Portugal: Associação Causas de Caudas
In Portugal, TNR projects are increasingly recognised as the most effective way to control the stray cat population. Causas de Caudas’ TNR project has established cooperation agreements with several municipalities, namely Gondomar, Porto and Matosinhos; enabling them to offer stray feral cat sterilisation services to colony caretakers for free. However, this has also led to an increase in the number of captures, thus requiring more equipment.
Cats waiting to be released after having been spayed/neutered
The donation of trapping equipment has helped the association to increase their work with feral and injured cats, and their report demonstrates how TNR activities were developed after SNIPi’s donation.
This cat is ready to be released after having been ear-tipped and neutered
From June 2022 to January 2023, a total of 544 cats were sterilised, including 226 males and 248 females. In addition, 90 cat colonies were controlled, and 30 animals were treated in the nursery.
The arrival of new materials allowed the association to perform TNR in colonies with a larger number of animals, assist feral cats requiring special treatment, perform TNR in two colonies at the same day, and safely separate automatic traps from animal feeding points.
Cats can be sterilised from a very young age with the specific methods recommended for early neutering
SNIPi would like to express our gratitude for the important work Causas de Caudas has undertaken,and hope our donation will enable them to reach more colonies and animals in the future.
HOW WE CAN HELP YOU
Advice
SNIP International was founded in 1996, and ever since, we have accumulated our knowledge base on animal welfare and on TNR. The small but dedicated team of SNIPi volunteer trustees are all experts in their fields, willing to transmit their knowledge for the benefit of animals.
We have gathered a lot of practical advice in our FAQ section, with links to sources of further information. If needed, you can contact us for non-urgent advice, and the SNIPi team members will reply to you within their possibilities (time constraints).
Connections
Having worked with animal welfare groups all over the world for a long time, we know many of them. Please check FAQ / Useful links and if necessary, contact us by email.
TNR Grants
Between 1996 and 2024, SNIP International distributed over 2,300 pieces of equipment to 96 countries, benefiting 681 animal welfare groups worldwide.
SNIP International is no longer donating equipment but is now giving out monetary grants to animal welfare organisations to help them in their TNR efforts outside the United Kingdom. Animal welfare organisations can apply for grants worth £ 2,000 each. The next application deadline is 30 September 2025.
For more information, please visit our grant page