Trap - Neuter - Return

TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN (TNR) is a humane method of trapping community cats using live traps. Free-roaming strays, barn cats and feral (wild) cats living outdoors in cities, towns and rural areas are humanely trapped, evaluated, vaccinated, and spayed/neutered by veterinarians. Kittens and social cats are adopted into good homes. Healthy barn and feral cats are returned to their familiar habitat after being properly treated.

TNR is the only scientifically proven method of reducing the feral cat population. TNR is the answer to effectively reducing the overpopulation of cats. TNR reduces most cat-related nuisances, poses no threat to public health and safety, and keeps rodent control in place. 

TNR programs are critical in the prevention of thousands and thousands of unwanted kittens from being born. It is the single most effective way to help free-roaming cats because sterilized cats have improved health and life expectancy. They are less likely to get hit by cars, injured in fights with other animals, or to contract FeLV or FIV. The cat behavior that humans find objectionable (fighting, yowling, marking) is minimized, thus reducing the risk of removal or eradication.

This method consists of:

• members of a colony
• neuter or spay (plus rabies, vaccination, and ear tipping*)
• return ferals to original site
• long-term caretaking/monitoring

*ear tipping is the process of removing 1⁄4 inch straight line cut off tip of left ear. This allows colony caretakers to know of any new cats in the colony that need to be altered.

Because feral cats are wild animals and cannot usually be tamed in order to become a pet.  Sometimes we trap a cat/kitten that appears to be friendly. If we have the monetary and volunteer resources to take him into our care, we will socialize them and adopt them out. 

Once you have contacted us and we determine the date for TNR, you need to do the following:

• Obtain a humane trap and cover from us. A $50 deposit per trap is required. Detailed instructions on how to use the trap will be given at that time.
• Covered traps should be set out with food the morning of your spay/neuter date.
• Transport the cats to our vet partners for surgery. Dissolvable stitches are used for spays and do not require removal.
• Pick up the cats that same day, cats usually need 24 hours to recover, then return them to their habitat and release them.
• Return the traps and covers in the original condition to receive your deposit.

Addresses shelter issues:

• ending or limiting reproduction
• colony size reduced immediately through adoptions
• attrition reduces numbers over the long-term (fewer cats = fewer complaint calls)

Addresses animal welfare issues:

• providing consistent care including food and shelter
• improved health through spay/neuter
• less roaming
• fewer kittens, who are the most susceptible to disease

How to set up a humane cat trap