Step By Step Guide to TNR

TNR, or trap neuter return, is an effective and humane way to prevent that one cat from turning into a community of 15 cats. It's true - if you feed a cat, you should also fix a cat. Start by making your plan.

Establish a feeding schedule and a routine: Some community cats will adapt to a routine quickly, while others may take a few weeks or longer. Begin by feeding the cat in the same location and at roughly the same time every day. Your feeding spot should be somewhere you can easily set up a humane trapping device when you're ready to move into that phase!

Schedule a TNR appointment: We cannot stress this enough. While it may seem a bit backwards, you need to secure an appointment to determine when you'll need to trap your cat. Most clinics and TNR groups will have a waiting list, so please be prepared for that. You can check here for a list of low-cost clinics in our area that offer TNR services or contact us.

MEFOF Tips:

Feed in the evening when possible, ideally between 4 PM and 6 PM. This timing will minimize the amount of time you need to keep the cat in the trap prior to surgery and still allow you time to retrieve the food before raccoons and other visitors arrive!

If you have your own trap, now is a great time to start trap training to set yourself up for success. For trap training, secure the trap in an open position so that it cannot close. Then, only feed the cat inside the trap. Since the trap remains open, it will help build their confidence and trust in the humane trapping process.

Start by gathering all of the supplies you'll need for humane trapping of community cats. TNR volunteers often refer to this as their trapping kit - here's what you’ll typically find in our kit:

Humane Trap: For TNR appointments, it’s essential to use a humane trap. Some of our favorite traps are the Tru Catch Trap and the Tomahawk Trap. Most farm and supply stores, including Harbor Freight, Rural King, Tractor Supply, and Menards, carry humane traps. If you're purchasing a trap, we recommend a 2-door trap for convenience and trap care!

Smelly Food: To bait your trap for community cats, you'll need food that is hard for them to resist and can be smelled from a distance—sardines, tuna, etc.

Trap Cover: Once a cat is in the trap, it should always be covered. This helps keep the cat calm in a stressful situation. You don’t need anything special; old towels, blankets, sheets, etc., will all work well. Make sure to choose something weather-appropriate—warmer in the winter and lighter-weight in the summer.

Potty Pads: Always have a protective layer under the traps in your car. You're going to be transporting scared animals that may pee or poop in the trap. Plus, traps will also have food in them from trapping.

Some other essentials we recommend include carabiners for extra security on the traps, newspaper to line the traps, a can opener for any food not in pop-top cans, and plastic silverware for putting food in the traps.

MEFOF Tips:

If you're using tuna or sardines, make sure they're packed in water. However, in the winter, switch to food packed in oil, as it will take longer to freeze in those cold temperatures! For difficult-to-trap community cats, rotisserie chicken or KFC is our go-to! Cats can't seem to resist it.

Base your trapping time on your community cat's schedule. If you usually feed in the morning, then plan to trap that morning. If you feed in the evening, plan to trap that evening. If the cat is in the trap for more than 12 hours, you will need to plan to provide it food and water.

Set up your humane trapping device in a quiet area near where you feed the cat. Open your trap and slide some newspaper in to line the bottom of the trap. This will help protect their paws and serve as a plate for the food you'll use to bait the trap. Place a small pile of food all the way at the back of the trap. The key is to make sure the cat can't reach the food without stepping on the trip plate. Set your trap and move away to a quiet spot. Keep the trap in your eyesight, but stay hidden.

Once the cat is safely inside the trap and the door has closed, cover the trap if you haven't already. We also strongly recommend giving the cat a general check before transporting. Here is what you can look for: Is the cat nursing? It's hard to tell, but here is a helpful resource. Does the cat already have a tipped ear? If so, let it go since it's already been neutered as part of a trap neuter return program. Are there any injuries or signs of illness? If so, make sure to let the clinic know when you arrive.

While humane trapping is safe, it can be scary for the cats. Some cats may bang against the trap or start breathing rapidly. Cover the trap and leave it alone for a short while to let the cat calm down. If it's hot or cold, get the cat into a temperature-controlled environment as soon as possible.

MEFOF Tips:

Never leave your traps unattended or set overnight. It leaves the community cats vulnerable to predators and in some areas, it is against the law. Add a carabiner to your trap as an added level of security to ensure the door stays shut. Cover traps when you set them to add a layer of comfort for the cat!

You'll need to hold the community cat until its appointment at the clinic the next day. The cat should remain in the humane trapping device at all times, and you should not open the trap door unless you trapped the cat in the morning and need to provide food and water. While it may seem uncomfortable, the cat will be fine in the trap for the 24 hours before and after surgery.

Holding location: Keep the community cat in a quiet, low traffic area, such as a garage, basement, or spare bathroom. We would recommend against bringing a feral cat into an area that is accessible by other pets. Please be mindful of the temperature in your holding area - if it's above 80 degrees, make sure you've got a fan to circulate air. 

Keep it quiet: The humane trap should stay completely covered for the night. Keep the room dark and quiet. Remember, this is stressful for the cat so it's important to minimize that stress as much as possible. 

Label your traps and complete the paperwork: Make sure you've checked ahead of time on any labeling requirements. Most clinics require you to have a piece of tape on the top of the trap with your name and/or the cat's name. You can also ask for paperwork in advance so that you can go ahead and fill that out to help the check-in process in the morning.

Transporting the community cat is the easy part, but here are some tips to keep in mind: 

Ensure the trap door is securely closed before you move it to your car. Carefully place the covered trap in a secure area in your car. Place the trap on top of a protective layer to help guard against accidents. Keep the noise level in your car low and try your best to avoid sudden movements or big bumps.

Please be mindful of the arrival time for your clinic appointment related to spaying and neutering community cats. Most clinics operate at high volume, and if you aren't there on time, you may be turned away. Please show respect to the staff. 

Provide the staff with any required paperwork, ensuring it is filled out completely. Make sure your trap for humane trapping is properly labeled and secured. If you have any concerns about the cat (remember the trapping tips!), please communicate these to the staff upon arrival and ensure they are noted on your paperwork. 

As a standard, TNR surgery includes the following: 

- Spay or neuter surgery 

- Rabies vaccine 

- Pain medication injection 

- Ear tip and belly tattoo 

The clinic will give you a specific window of time for pick up. Please ensure you arrive during that window and review any post-op instructions provided. It is crucial to ensure proper post-op care and recovery, as the hours after surgery are the only time the cat will have to relax and recover safely before being returned to its outdoor home.

MEFOF Tips: 

Although it isn't always included, if you're managing a large colony of community cats, most clinics will offer topical flea and parasite medication. If possible, this is a worthwhile expense to add to your services. Outdoor cats are most susceptible to feline distemper and upper respiratory illnesses. Most clinics offer the FVRCP vaccine for a small cost, and we recommend this whenever possible!

You should expect to keep the community cat for at least 24 hours to recover after humane trapping, unless the clinic notifies you otherwise. Some female cats that were pregnant at the time of spay may need 48 hours to recover prior to their return. Here are some important tips that you should keep in mind during the cat's recovery time with you:

The cat will recover inside the trap. DO NOT let the cat out of the trap during this recovery time. Keep the cat in a quiet and secure area that is temperature controlled. Cats are unable to control their body temperature after anesthesia. If it is hot outside, use a fan to circulate air. If it's cold, you may want to run a space heater, if it's safe to do so. The holding area should stay between 55 degrees and 85 degrees.

The trap should remain covered and closed to keep the cat calm.

After surgery, you should offer a small amount of food and water, and change any liner on the inside of the trap that is needed. If you have a trap divider (sometimes called an isolator), you'll want to use it to do this. Simply open one door of the trap while keeping the cat down at the other end. Slide in a small dish of food and water and lay some fresh newspaper.

The day after surgery, you are free to return your community cat to their outdoor home, as long as the clinic hasn't advised you to hold it for a longer time period. There are multiple theories on when is best to release cats, just use your judgment! Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

Release the cat in the exact same location where you trapped it. Point the trap opening away from any busy roads or unsafe areas. Leave food and water in the spot where you usually feed. If it's cold, leave an outdoor shelter for them to use during their recovery. When releasing, always stand behind the trap so the cat has a clear path.