About Us

TNR UTOPIA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization - EIN# 82-2975355 

TNR UTOPIA

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

TNR Utopia is a small, no-kill, all-volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on the trap, neuter, and return (TNR) of community cats in North Queens, NYC.  We help community cat caretakers by trapping, sterilizing and returning the cats they feed, provide shelter to and care about. 

We are people just like you. We have full-time jobs (outside of cats) and spend our free time, nights and weekends helping community cats and educating the public about living with them.

TNR Utopia operates in the neighborhoods of North Flushing, Whitestone, Bayside and College Point (11354, 11356, 11357, 11358, 11360, 11361).  Visit our TNR page for more information about our TNR program.

EDUCATION

TNR Utopia educates the public about living with community cats and has facilitated TNR Certification workshops throughout NYC.

ADOPTIONS

Of course, when dealing with community cats, we often encounter friendly cats and kittens who are young enough to be socialized and adopted into forever homes. The adoptable cats we encounter during TNR projects are rescued off the street, spayed/neutered, vaccinated and vetted, placed in foster homes and made available for adoption. We also partner with larger adoption organizations to find homes for the friendly cats and kittens we rescue.  TNR Utopia is not an animal shelter.  We do not admit owner surrendered cats and do not remove feral free-roaming cats from the community.

WANT TO VISIT?

TNR Utopia is a foster based organizations. We do not have a physical shelter location and all of our adoptable cats and kittens can be found throughout our foster network. Want to visit with a cat or kitten? Visits are by appointment only. Fill out an adoption application before scheduling a visit. 

TNR Utopia is NOT an animal shelter.  We DO NOT admit owner surrendered cats and DO NOT remove feral free-roaming cats from the community.

There are many organizations in NYC that may take animals into their adoption programs. Check this list for organizations by borough. 

MEET THE TEAM

Michelle Haverkamp

Michelle Haverkamp is founder and President of the small, all-volunteer nonprofit organization TNR Utopia Inc which focuses on the trap, neuter and return of community cats in North Queens, NYC. Like many, Michelle wondered how she could help the feral cats that called her Flushing backyard home. Following some Google searching Michelle got TNR Certified in May 2016. After completing a TNR project for her small backyard colony, Michelle and her husband Louis began doing TNR for others who care about community cats. They branded their work TNR Utopia

Louis Lotito

Following his wife Michelle's lead, Louis got TNR Certified in May 2016. Along with trapping cats and snuggling with kittens, Louis also manages TNR Utopia's day to day communications, social media content and cat (and people) records.  @lougle

Orit Mizrachi

As a long time cat lover and friend to TNR Utopia, Orit brings valuable skills to the organization. @oritm2006, @olive_without_her_human

Sharon LaPenta

Sharon began doing TNR in 2008 but in 2010 she made it official and completed the TNR Certification Workshop.  Sharon worked as a shelter volunteer for Animals Can't Talk [ACT] in Bayside and is a current board member for the Worthy Pause Thrift Store.  As a teacher, Sharon promoted Humane Education in NYC public schools through Muttigrees Program and Pets In the Classroom grants. Sharon is a prominent member of the TNR community in Queens and has always worked closely with other certified TNR people in addition to supporting many community cat caretakers in North Flushing.  From trapping, bottle feeding to socializing feral kittens - the resources and knowledge Sharon brings to TNR Utopia is invaluable.  @lapentasharon

WHAT IS TNR?

TNR HELPS COMMUNITY CATS BY MANAGING FERAL AND STRAY COLONIES

Trap-Neuter-Return, or "TNR," is the most humane and effective method known for managing feral and stray community cats and reducing their numbers. The cats, who typically live together in a group called a colony, are trapped and brought to a spay/neuter clinic. They're then spayed or neutered, vaccinated and ear tipped. After they've recovered from their surgeries, the cats are returned back to their original territory where a caretaker provides regular food and shelter. When foster or permanent homes are available, young kittens and friendly adults are removed and placed for adoption.

COMMUNITY CATS ENJOY BETTER LIVES AFTER TNR

Because the cats can no longer reproduce, the colony has the potential to decline in size over time. Spaying and neutering also greatly reduce nuisance behavior, making community cats better neighbors with humans. Once the cats are fixed, fighting, yowling and other noise associated with mating stops almost entirely. The foul odor caused by unaltered males spraying to mark territory disappears and the cats, no longer driven to mate, roam much less and become less visible. The cats themselves are healthier and less likely to spread feline diseases. Meanwhile, rodent control is maintained by the cats' continued presence.

Source: www.neighborhoodcats.org

North Queens, NYC

North Flushing | Whitestone | Bayside | College Point

11354, 11356, 11357, 11358, 11360, 11361