Trap-Neuter-Return

Did you know that cats have lived outdoors for more than 10,000 years? Some outdoor cats are strays, meaning that they were likely once someone’s pet, but were abandoned or became lost. Other outdoor cats are born outside in the wild, experiencing little to no human contact, and are described as feral. While the main difference between stray and feral cats is their level of socialization with humans, both live in close proximity to people, and are dependent upon the sources of food and shelter that residential or commercial areas can provide. We may view a life outdoors as less than ideal, but for feral cats, it is the only life they have ever known. The outside is their home. It is where they feel safe and, generally, where they are safest.

So, what should you do when you encounter an outdoor cat, or a colony of cats, in your community?

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the most humane and effective approach for dealing with stray and feral cats. Scientific studies have proven that TNR improves the lives of feral cats, improves their relationships with the people who live near them, and decreases the size of colonies over time by preventing reproduction.

When an outdoor cat is brought to Women's Animal Center, we scan the cat for a microchip, check for identification, and observe the mandatory hold time for found animals, which allows time for an owner to step forward. If the cat is determined to be friendly with humans and more suited to a home environment, we put that animal up for adoption.

If the cat is deemed feral, we spay or neuter, vaccinate and ear-tip the animal, then return it to the location in which it was found - at no cost to the trapper. As a nonprofit with limited resources, we rely on the cooperation, support and joint efforts of our community to implement and advance this lifesaving program.

Women's Animal Center has developed this informative Online Resource to provide guidance to our community's cat complainants and caregivers in working together to achieve a humane and effective resolution to living with our outdoor cat populations.

Are you a community trapper or colony caretaker?

Please review our Trap-Neuter-Return Policy below before bringing trapped cats to Women's Animal Center, and learn more about our Trap Rental Program.