Why cut off the tip of cat's ear?

[Casey09]

[QUOTE=Bristol Bay;8508554]
The clinic visit was already in the works when we said we’d take him. I wasn’t trying to deceive anyone. The lady was trying to give the poor guy a chance.

I realize now that on the form the checked community cat instead of pet cat. She had mixed up the words stray and feral when I first met the cat, so maybe that’s what happened.

In any case, he’s been hiding in the basement since we brought him home.[/QUOTE]

To me it sounded as though your coworker is making sure they get altered before placement. I think that is very appropriate. I’m sure his ear was tipped because he was labeled as a community cat, so the clinic was likely only trying to avoid future stressful and unnecessary stressful visits. Now the ear tip can just give him a little character.
What’s his name? Will there be a picture when he settles in and leaves his hiding place? Cats are so easily stressed out. I’m sure he will come out soon, and how wonderful that he was able to be adopted out.

[JBD]

We have a barn cat who has been with us for years. I know he is ear tipped but I don’t see it anymore.

[fordtraktor]

We have a barn cat who is tipped, when he got here it took me months to touch him so when I was finally able to get him in to neuter I had him treated like a feral. To strangers he acts like one still and I want them to know he has people who have take care of him. His tip is pretty big, if he’s lucky it might keep neighbor farmers from shooting him. So far so good.

[GraceLikeRain]

My failed TNR is ear-tipped. Personally, I think it gives her character but I understand that other people don’t care for the tipping.

[beowulf]

sorry to hear about the miscommunication but i think you are dead wrong BB (not snarky), tipped ears give character - we have a TNR cat (except it worked in his favor, it became TRAP NEUTER KEEP!!) and i absolutely love his tipped ear. he likes to perch on the edge of the counter every morning while i make my coffee and i give him a big kiss on his forehead and scritch his little nubby ear… don’t think he misses that ear at all…

but i agree with other posters, it’s so people don’t haul his cute behind back to be “neutered a third time” :lol: