TNR - Trap Neuter Return
Trap Neuter Return is the only humane and effective way of reducing the free roaming cat population.
Kittens at a feral cat colony in an abandoned house
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In addition to the HART Barn Cat Program, we also run a successful TNR program which started in December of 2017. TNR, or trap neuter return, is the process of trapping community cats in a humane cage and taking them to the vet to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated.
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H.A.R.T. Community Cat Program
“To help reduce the population of free roaming community cats by implementing TNR practices and educating caregivers on community cat care”
How It Works
A request for assistance is made by a caregiver. A HART volunteer gathers information such as:
Location and type of property i.e. apartment complex, farm, single family home?
Once a cat is trapped, it is taken to its recovery location, unless otherwise arranged with the caregiver. The cat will spend 2-3 days in the trap, depending on when its vet appointment is. Plastic carriers are NOT allowed for transporting a community cat. The cat is taken to the vet the next morning and picked up that afternoon. It gets spayed or neutered, a rabies vaccine, ear tip, microchip, FVRCP vaccine and any other necessary medical attention. It needs to spend a minimum of 24 hours in its cage to recover from the surgery. Aftercare is provided by the HART volunteer but we encourage the caregiver to become involved.
Now that the cat is recovered, it is taken back to the trap location and released. If there are more cats to be trapped at that location, the HART volunteer will work with the caregiver to plan out dates for the trapper to continue their work.
This is a general overview of the process from start to finish. Each situation is unique. Please see the FAQ below to help answer any questions you might have. If you have further questions not addressed in the FAQ, please see contact info at the end of this packet.
“To help reduce the population of free roaming community cats by implementing TNR practices and educating caregivers on community cat care”
How It Works
A request for assistance is made by a caregiver. A HART volunteer gathers information such as:
Location and type of property i.e. apartment complex, farm, single family home?
- # of cats
- Are they feral? Friendly?
- Ages (kitten, teenager, adult)?
- Are they fed at a regular time each day?
- Are any noticeably sick, injured or pregnant?
Once a cat is trapped, it is taken to its recovery location, unless otherwise arranged with the caregiver. The cat will spend 2-3 days in the trap, depending on when its vet appointment is. Plastic carriers are NOT allowed for transporting a community cat. The cat is taken to the vet the next morning and picked up that afternoon. It gets spayed or neutered, a rabies vaccine, ear tip, microchip, FVRCP vaccine and any other necessary medical attention. It needs to spend a minimum of 24 hours in its cage to recover from the surgery. Aftercare is provided by the HART volunteer but we encourage the caregiver to become involved.
Now that the cat is recovered, it is taken back to the trap location and released. If there are more cats to be trapped at that location, the HART volunteer will work with the caregiver to plan out dates for the trapper to continue their work.
This is a general overview of the process from start to finish. Each situation is unique. Please see the FAQ below to help answer any questions you might have. If you have further questions not addressed in the FAQ, please see contact info at the end of this packet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is TNR?
TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Return. It is the process of trapping a feral or community cats, getting it spayed or neutered, vaccinated and returning it back outside. A cat that is TNR’d receives an ear tip. This procedure does not hurt or hinder them in any way. It is a universal marking that allows trappers to determine if that cat has been spayed/neutered before.
Why can’t you relocate/remove the feral cats I need help with?
Relocation of a feral cat is a time consuming and difficult process. A feral cat knows how to survive in its current home. Relocating it somewhere new and strange without the proper procedure could spell disaster for the cat. We do not encourage relocation. We do not relocate feral cats.
What if some of the cats/kittens are friendly?
We will check with our foster homes to see if anyone has space to foster the cats while their health and temperament is evaluated. We rely entirely on fosters for this service. At no time during the year can we guarantee we have space to take in a friendly cat or litter of abandoned kittens.
What if there is a pregnant cat?
This decision is left to our veterinarians to make based on what is best for each cat. We do not fix kittens without fixing the mom cat as well.
How much does your program cost?
We do not charge for our services. However, we do rely on donations to continue the operation of this program. Without donations, we are unable to offer assistance and may be required to put requests on a waiting list. Any donation amount is appreciated, even if only a few cans of cat food!
Why does it take so long to receive help?
We are a small group of volunteers; no one gets paid to do this and we work full time jobs. There is a large feral cat population in this county and we are usually coordinating multiple locations at one time. Each situation is different and may require a different approach to be successful.
What can I do to help?
You can help to expedite the process by offering to trap yourself (we can teach and loan the traps), offering to help transport to/from the vet and offering to do the aftercare (we can offer instruction and supplies). PLEASE follow our request to withhold food prior to trapping. We cannot help you if you do not withhold food from the cats.
Why can’t I use plastic carriers for the feral cats?
The metal traps we use are the safest carrier for them. The traps cannot be rolled and are grated so any feces or urine is dropped through the bottom. We simply have to replace the liner under the trap to keep the cat in a sanitary trap. Also, there is a tool used by vets and caregivers alike that allows us access to the cat through the trap safely. This tool can ONLY be used with our metal traps.
Help! My feral cats have not come back for food after being released.
This is normal behavior. The cats have undergone a stressful situation and may not return for a few day. If you were able to touch them before TNR, they may be a little scared of you for a while. Give it time.
Will you help me pay to fix my pet cat?
No. This program is for free roaming feral cats only. No exceptions.
Contact Information and Resources
Deborah Mathews Helping Animals Rescue Team
Jennifer Hall www.facebook.com/HartRescue
TNR Coordinators www.hartrescue.weebly.com
hartrescuetn@gmail.com
Donations for TNR
Visit Alley Cat Allies for more information on feral and community cats. They are a great resource!
TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Return. It is the process of trapping a feral or community cats, getting it spayed or neutered, vaccinated and returning it back outside. A cat that is TNR’d receives an ear tip. This procedure does not hurt or hinder them in any way. It is a universal marking that allows trappers to determine if that cat has been spayed/neutered before.
Why can’t you relocate/remove the feral cats I need help with?
Relocation of a feral cat is a time consuming and difficult process. A feral cat knows how to survive in its current home. Relocating it somewhere new and strange without the proper procedure could spell disaster for the cat. We do not encourage relocation. We do not relocate feral cats.
What if some of the cats/kittens are friendly?
We will check with our foster homes to see if anyone has space to foster the cats while their health and temperament is evaluated. We rely entirely on fosters for this service. At no time during the year can we guarantee we have space to take in a friendly cat or litter of abandoned kittens.
What if there is a pregnant cat?
This decision is left to our veterinarians to make based on what is best for each cat. We do not fix kittens without fixing the mom cat as well.
How much does your program cost?
We do not charge for our services. However, we do rely on donations to continue the operation of this program. Without donations, we are unable to offer assistance and may be required to put requests on a waiting list. Any donation amount is appreciated, even if only a few cans of cat food!
Why does it take so long to receive help?
We are a small group of volunteers; no one gets paid to do this and we work full time jobs. There is a large feral cat population in this county and we are usually coordinating multiple locations at one time. Each situation is different and may require a different approach to be successful.
What can I do to help?
You can help to expedite the process by offering to trap yourself (we can teach and loan the traps), offering to help transport to/from the vet and offering to do the aftercare (we can offer instruction and supplies). PLEASE follow our request to withhold food prior to trapping. We cannot help you if you do not withhold food from the cats.
Why can’t I use plastic carriers for the feral cats?
The metal traps we use are the safest carrier for them. The traps cannot be rolled and are grated so any feces or urine is dropped through the bottom. We simply have to replace the liner under the trap to keep the cat in a sanitary trap. Also, there is a tool used by vets and caregivers alike that allows us access to the cat through the trap safely. This tool can ONLY be used with our metal traps.
Help! My feral cats have not come back for food after being released.
This is normal behavior. The cats have undergone a stressful situation and may not return for a few day. If you were able to touch them before TNR, they may be a little scared of you for a while. Give it time.
Will you help me pay to fix my pet cat?
No. This program is for free roaming feral cats only. No exceptions.
Contact Information and Resources
Deborah Mathews Helping Animals Rescue Team
Jennifer Hall www.facebook.com/HartRescue
TNR Coordinators www.hartrescue.weebly.com
hartrescuetn@gmail.com
Donations for TNR
- Wet cat food (preferably in gravy)
- Sardines in oil (no extra flavoring)
- Gas Cards
- Puppy Pads (any size)
- Pillowcases (cut open)
- 26" Cat Trap with One Trap Door and Rear Access Door from livetrap.com
- Sanitizing Wipes
- Snuggle Safe Microwave Heat Pad (Amazon)
- Dry cat food (any brand)
Visit Alley Cat Allies for more information on feral and community cats. They are a great resource!
