Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Outline
Trap-neuter-return (TNR) is recommended only for colonies of feral cats who can be returned to supervised sites where long-term care can be assured. Stray, domestic cats and kittens should be socialized and placed into homes.
Spaying and neutering colonies of cats:
The community, the caretakers, and the property owners where the cats reside, should organize and carry out this plan. Money may be available from an established organization or may have to be raised by voluntary contributions. Local governments should be approached and asked to contribute to the fund, as TNR will save them money over time. The initial cost may seem high but the long-term costs are less than those spent on repeated eradication attempts. The major expenses are for equipment, veterinary services, and food.
Steps for Implementation
Assessment
Identify all individuals who feed community cats and all locations of feeding sites. Create a spreadsheet tracking pertinent information regarding the cats (i.e., number of cats, sex of each cat if possible, state of health, whether females are pregnant, if there are kittens). Also, identify the cats who are only occasional visitors or who are very friendly, as these may be companion animals and could have an indoor home.
The location should be evaluated as to whether or not it is an appropriate environment to keep the colony. For the most part, the area where the cats are currently living is the best place to keep them. If relocation is necessary, find a suitable new location and refer to our “Relocation Guidelines” for proper steps in safely moving a colony. Relocation should be the last option. The planning group may be very creative in finding a solution. Euthanasia is only recommended for very sick cats who cannot be treated and released.
Planning
Make arrangements for kittens and cats who may be socialized after veterinary treatment so they can be placed into an adoption program. All cats and kittens should be sterilized prior to adoption, and caretakers can charge an adoption fee to help recover part of the cost. Early-age sterilization can be performed on kittens eight weeks of age or weighing two pounds. Obtain humane traps and transfer cages, and learn how to properly use them. Make arrangements for transport, overnight stay prior to being released, and delivery to and from the veterinary clinic.
Trapping
Do not leave a cat in an unprotected trap and never leave the cat where she might be threatened by other animals, people, or weather. Immediately cover the trap with a towel or blanket when the cat is caught in order to calm her down. When one cat has been trapped, move her to a transfer cage so that the trap can be used for a second cat. Do not trap in inclement weather, especially during heat waves; traumatized cats are very susceptible to heat stroke. The use of rabies poles and tranquilizers are discouraged. Tranquilized cats may leave the area before the tranquilizer takes effect and can get into situations that could endanger their lives, such as wandering onto busy streets. Do not trap lactating mothers, if possible. If, however, a lactating mother is trapped you need to make a decision on whether to have her spayed ̶ she could be hard to retrap. If you keep her, find her kittens as soon as possible. For detailed trapping instructions refer to “TNR Step by Step.”
Veterinary Care
If you’re not working with a cat rescue organization, then you will need to reach out to local veterinary clinics to find one that is willing to help. Discuss your plan with the veterinarian and confirm beforehand that the doctor(s) and technicians are prepared to treat feral cats. Once you find a veterinarian who works with feral cats and is willing to help with your colony, you may want to inquire about a possible fee reduction, since you will be bringing the doctor several cats to be sterilized. Many veterinarians who treat feral cats are willing to negotiate cost.
To avoid the necessity of a second trapping, dissolvable sutures must be used. Males should be fostered overnight and females, if possible, should be kept for two to three nights before returning. All cats to be returned must be identified by clipping one quarter inch off the top of the left ear. Ear-tipping is the universal marking to identify a cat who is part of a managed TNR program. Ear-tipping can be a life saver for feral cats — if trapped by animal control, they can be returned to their colony. All cats should be treated for internal and external parasites, inoculated for rabies and distemper, and given a long-term antibiotic injection. Microchipping is also recommended, in case the cat is ever trapped and taken to animal control. She could then be identified and returned to the colony. Refer to the section on “Veterinary Care” for guidelines that need to be taken by caretakers and veterinarians to ensure TNR is a safe experience for everyone.
Domestication
Although some older cats can be domesticated or socialized, the best time to tame feral cats is when they are kittens; ideally before they are eight weeks old. While it is possible to domesticate older kittens (12 weeks old), if no homes are available and your local shelter is killing unwanted domestic kittens, a more humane and practical solution for all is to sterilize the kittens, vaccinate, and return to the colony. Detailed instructions and tips on fostering and socializing feral kittens can be found under our “Fostering Kittens” section.
Long-Term Maintenance
The long-term management of a colony should include arrangements for daily feeding, fresh water, provision of insulated shelters, and providing and cleaning litter boxes. (Refer to “Winterizing Feral Cat Colonies” for more information.) Dust the shelter bedding with flea powder to prevent infestations, and keep feeding areas clean and tidy. It may take several months to bring a large colony under control and achieve stable groups of content and healthy cats. Any new cats attaching themselves permanently to the colony should be trapped and sterilized. Many of these new cats may be tame, domestic strays, able to be resocialized and placed into homes. Feral cats can be retrapped a few years later for booster rabies vaccinations, health check-ups, teeth cleaning, etc. A plan should be worked out with the veterinarian where mild illnesses can be treated with antibiotics placed in moist food to avoid retracing.
Spaying and neutering colonies of cats:
- stabilizes the population at manageable levels;
- eliminates annoying behaviors associated with mating (fighting, yowling, and spraying);
- improves the overall health of outdoor cats;
- helps make the animals easier to manage over the long term (re: trapping for future veterinary treatment);
- is more effective and less costly than repeated attempts at eradication;
- is humane to the animals and fosters compassion in the community.
The community, the caretakers, and the property owners where the cats reside, should organize and carry out this plan. Money may be available from an established organization or may have to be raised by voluntary contributions. Local governments should be approached and asked to contribute to the fund, as TNR will save them money over time. The initial cost may seem high but the long-term costs are less than those spent on repeated eradication attempts. The major expenses are for equipment, veterinary services, and food.
Steps for Implementation
Assessment
Identify all individuals who feed community cats and all locations of feeding sites. Create a spreadsheet tracking pertinent information regarding the cats (i.e., number of cats, sex of each cat if possible, state of health, whether females are pregnant, if there are kittens). Also, identify the cats who are only occasional visitors or who are very friendly, as these may be companion animals and could have an indoor home.
The location should be evaluated as to whether or not it is an appropriate environment to keep the colony. For the most part, the area where the cats are currently living is the best place to keep them. If relocation is necessary, find a suitable new location and refer to our “Relocation Guidelines” for proper steps in safely moving a colony. Relocation should be the last option. The planning group may be very creative in finding a solution. Euthanasia is only recommended for very sick cats who cannot be treated and released.
Planning
Make arrangements for kittens and cats who may be socialized after veterinary treatment so they can be placed into an adoption program. All cats and kittens should be sterilized prior to adoption, and caretakers can charge an adoption fee to help recover part of the cost. Early-age sterilization can be performed on kittens eight weeks of age or weighing two pounds. Obtain humane traps and transfer cages, and learn how to properly use them. Make arrangements for transport, overnight stay prior to being released, and delivery to and from the veterinary clinic.
Trapping
Do not leave a cat in an unprotected trap and never leave the cat where she might be threatened by other animals, people, or weather. Immediately cover the trap with a towel or blanket when the cat is caught in order to calm her down. When one cat has been trapped, move her to a transfer cage so that the trap can be used for a second cat. Do not trap in inclement weather, especially during heat waves; traumatized cats are very susceptible to heat stroke. The use of rabies poles and tranquilizers are discouraged. Tranquilized cats may leave the area before the tranquilizer takes effect and can get into situations that could endanger their lives, such as wandering onto busy streets. Do not trap lactating mothers, if possible. If, however, a lactating mother is trapped you need to make a decision on whether to have her spayed ̶ she could be hard to retrap. If you keep her, find her kittens as soon as possible. For detailed trapping instructions refer to “TNR Step by Step.”
Veterinary Care
If you’re not working with a cat rescue organization, then you will need to reach out to local veterinary clinics to find one that is willing to help. Discuss your plan with the veterinarian and confirm beforehand that the doctor(s) and technicians are prepared to treat feral cats. Once you find a veterinarian who works with feral cats and is willing to help with your colony, you may want to inquire about a possible fee reduction, since you will be bringing the doctor several cats to be sterilized. Many veterinarians who treat feral cats are willing to negotiate cost.
To avoid the necessity of a second trapping, dissolvable sutures must be used. Males should be fostered overnight and females, if possible, should be kept for two to three nights before returning. All cats to be returned must be identified by clipping one quarter inch off the top of the left ear. Ear-tipping is the universal marking to identify a cat who is part of a managed TNR program. Ear-tipping can be a life saver for feral cats — if trapped by animal control, they can be returned to their colony. All cats should be treated for internal and external parasites, inoculated for rabies and distemper, and given a long-term antibiotic injection. Microchipping is also recommended, in case the cat is ever trapped and taken to animal control. She could then be identified and returned to the colony. Refer to the section on “Veterinary Care” for guidelines that need to be taken by caretakers and veterinarians to ensure TNR is a safe experience for everyone.
Domestication
Although some older cats can be domesticated or socialized, the best time to tame feral cats is when they are kittens; ideally before they are eight weeks old. While it is possible to domesticate older kittens (12 weeks old), if no homes are available and your local shelter is killing unwanted domestic kittens, a more humane and practical solution for all is to sterilize the kittens, vaccinate, and return to the colony. Detailed instructions and tips on fostering and socializing feral kittens can be found under our “Fostering Kittens” section.
Long-Term Maintenance
The long-term management of a colony should include arrangements for daily feeding, fresh water, provision of insulated shelters, and providing and cleaning litter boxes. (Refer to “Winterizing Feral Cat Colonies” for more information.) Dust the shelter bedding with flea powder to prevent infestations, and keep feeding areas clean and tidy. It may take several months to bring a large colony under control and achieve stable groups of content and healthy cats. Any new cats attaching themselves permanently to the colony should be trapped and sterilized. Many of these new cats may be tame, domestic strays, able to be resocialized and placed into homes. Feral cats can be retrapped a few years later for booster rabies vaccinations, health check-ups, teeth cleaning, etc. A plan should be worked out with the veterinarian where mild illnesses can be treated with antibiotics placed in moist food to avoid retracing.
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