TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) Works

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a humane and effective method known for managing community cats and reducing their numbers, and in saving the lives of animals in shelters and rescues.

TNR and the Facts

What is TNR

The cats, who typically live in together in a group called a colony, are trapped in live traps and taken into a veterinary clinic. They are spayed (female) or neutered (male) and eartipped. Eartipping is the universal sign of an altered (fixed/sterilized) feral cat. A small portion is removed from the tip of the left ear in a straight line cut. Eartips are readily visible from a distance, making it easy for caretakers, trappers and animal control personnel to immediately identify a cat as spayed or neutered.

After they’ve recovered, they are released back into their original territory. When possible, depending on temperament of the cat(s) and availability of a foster or permanent home, young kittens and friendly adults are removed and placed for adoption.

TNR is most effective when performed well. This means achieving and maintaining a sterilization rate as close to 100% as possible and being diligent about the cats' long-term care. On a community level, TNR best reduces cat populations and nuisance complaints when resources are targeted at areas within a community with high cat populations. Spaying and neutering cats within a colony eliminates yowling, mating, fighting activity – and kittens!

TNR is practiced across the United States and all over the world and is considered an effective method for managing feral and stray cats and reducing their numbers. We work with local veterinarians who are experienced in the practice and understand the importance of TNR and support groups like For the Love of Cats, in our efforts of creating a sustainable and humane solution to community cats and where they reside.

For decades, a city’s utilized animal control to trap and remove cats with the outcome usually being euthanasia. However, that often times did not result in a reduced number of feral cats. There are many reasons why this approach doesn’t work: 1) Too many cats and not enough animal control resources; 2) Removing one set of cats from a location where food and shelter is available creates a vacuum for a new set of cats to fill; and 3) Laws regulating pet owners simply don’t work.

Why TNR Works

Three Basic Steps of TNR

1. Trap: Humanely trap all the cats in a colony. A colony is a group of cats living outdoors together.

2. Neuter (or spay): Take the cats in their traps to a veterinarian or clinic to be neutered, vaccinated, and eartipped (the universal symbol of a neutered and vaccinated cat.

3. Return: After the cats recover, return them to their outdoor home where they were trapped.

Shelter and rescues do not take feral cats. As much as you may want to give them a nice, comfortable life inside, their life is outdoors and that’s where they belong. Another thing to remember and a main component of the practice is the “R”, or Return. The cats that you or anyone catches, must be returned to that same area. They are accustomed to that territory and their colony. Plus, it is the humane thing to do.

Trapping cats for TNR does takes planning and there are several things to consider when wanting to catch feral cats. First and foremost, ask for help from an experienced trapper if you are not comfortable doing it yourself.

Mass trapping is the best scenario. Catching all the cats at once saves time and overall effort – organizing volunteers, making appointments, arranging transport and other logistics. Trapping one at a time is easy in the beginning, however when you come down to the last couple of cats, it can be tricky trapping the last few.  

Other things to consider:

  1. Traps: Are your trap(s) working properly? Traps should not be left out in the open and keeping the trap partly covered with a sheet or towel will help when you do catch a cat. Once they are caught, the trap should be covered entirely to reduce panic with the cat.

  2. Holding space (pre- and post-surgery): You should have a warm, dry quiet space for the cats that are awaiting surgery and for recovery. Allow the cats to recover overnight and then release in the same place they were trapped. Early morning is the best time and if you are the caregiver, provide food and water for them.

For the Love of Cats is available to help plan and assist with trapping. Please contact us to discuss your situation.