Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)
What Is TNR?
Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR, is the means by which we humanely work to control outdoor feral cat populations. The cats, who typically live together in a group called a colony, are humanely trapped and brought to a veterinary clinic where they are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and eartipped before being returned to their original territory where a caretaker provides regular food, water and shelter. In addition to limiting cat colonies’ reproduction, this also helps to control nuisance behaviors that can put these cats at risk. Neutered cats are much less likely to fight, make noise and mark their territory, which also means reducing the spread of disease between these cats. When TNR efforts are in place, it means resources can be dedicated to helping the cats who already live there, rather than feeding and trying to home potentially hundreds of new kittens/cats.
Though we try to rescue and adopt out friendly cats we find, TNR represents the best method to help care for and protect colony cats who are too afraid of humans to live indoors.
Getting Involved
With resources to care for cats on the street being so limited, much of the work depends on volunteers. Anyone can help if they have the time, interest, patience, and access to trapping equipment.
Training
Several organizations offer online courses to get you certified in TNR. We recommend:
FAQ
Why do we need to TNR?
There is a huge overpopulation of cats in the U.S. Animal shelters euthanize 1.7 million unwanted cats annually. Approximately 75% of kittens born in the wild die or disappear by 6 months of age. It is vital that all cats be sterilized to prevent suffering and unnecessary death. Because TNR’d cats can no longer reproduce, the colony will decline in size over time. Spaying and neutering also greatly reduce nuisance behavior. Once the cats are fixed, fighting, yowling, and other noise associated with mating stops almost entirely. The foul odor caused by unaltered males spraying to mark territory disappears, and the cats, no longer driven to mate, roam much less and become less visible. The cats themselves are healthier and less likely to spread feline diseases. Meanwhile, rodent control is maintained by the cats' continued presence.
What happens to the cats after you trap them?
Feral cats are taken to a shelter holding space and cared for there for a day or two while they wait for their ASPCA appointment. From there they are taken to the ASPCA where they are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, eartipped, tattooed, FIV/FeLV tested, and treated for fleas, ticks, and ear mites. After surgery and treatment, the cats return to the shelter where they are cared for as they recover for a few days. After recovery, the cats are released where they were trapped. We continue to feed and monitor them after release.
Friendly cats (those who allow handling) are given the same ASPCA treatment, minus the eartipping. They are then placed with a foster family where they stay until they are officially adopted.
How Can I Help?
Donate - Our work is supported entirely by donations. Click here to see the different ways you can donate money or supplies. If you have food or supplies you want to send directly, contact us here.
Learn more about how to TNR in your own area - For more information on how to get started, click here.
Volunteer - Are you in the NYC area and want to help us? Contact us to learn how to get involved.
What percentage of donations go directly to the cats?
100% of your donations go directly to supporting cats! Your support pays for food, supplies, vet bills, and gas for transport.