TNR Saves Lives
Trap-Neuter-Return
The Purrpose was founded to drive action to and change outcomes for cats because of shelter overcrowding, lack of funding, and lack of experience and expertise with feral / community cats in our community.
Studies and data suggests that only about 2% of free-roaming cats are spayed/neutered in the United States (Maddie's Fund, 2012). While some communities are better, there are others that struggle to reach 2%.
Located in Lincoln, NE, The Purrpose was founded to change this statistic. We directly serve our local communities and surrounding areas. Where we can't reach physically, we partner with other organizations and individuals to provide ideas, solutions and trouble shoot unique situations.
We provide knowledge, resources and hands on support when and where we can. Our dream is a feral cat sanctuary - before we get there, changing the statistic of spayed and neutered cats in our community comes first.
Rescue & Return to Home
Keeping a cat out of a shelter and reducing the number that go to a rescue is a priority. Promoting and providing microchips, resources for reporting a lost or found pet, building a team of volunteers focused on returning cats home is a part of our strategy.
Rescue efforts are how we made our pawprint. Climbing trees, scoping out sewers, drains, sheds, barns, vehicle engines and other crazy places that cats hide - we do our best to find them so they can go home.
Showing Mercy
One of the hardest things about what we do is doing the right thing.
Our community cats deserve no less kindness and love than those that curl up in our laps. This can mean finding, trapping and evaluating seriously injured cats. In most cases, the only option for these cats is humane euthanasia. Some day - with the sanctuary - maybe there will be other options.
Today, what we can do is ensure that they are given kindness and grace. That means they have a name, they are told they are loved and they are given respect as any living creature should be given. This, too, is rescue.
FIP - Not a Death Sentence
Our Head Meow faced FIP with her beloved Lucky Lou - only to find out that at the time GS-441524 (the medication to treat Feline Infectious Peritonitis) had not yet been legalized by the FDA. Today, that is no longer the case, and is available through a licensed veterinarian with proper diagnosis.
While it is no longer off-market pricing, it still requires swift diagnosis and immediate treatment. With the cost of diagnosis and purchasing the first script for medication, most cat owners cannot afford it - and the choices are heartbreaking. We help.
While Lucky Lou was not a cat that went through a TNR program, her momma was. With many of our volunteers being fosters, and rescuers, we directly see and feel the impact of illness because of breeding. From the moment she came to our Head Meow as a foster, she struggled. Now, almost eight years old, she is living her best life, and is our advocate.
Lucky Lou was cured on May 6, 2022 and is still our best PURRvivor.