Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR)

TNR programs benefit adult cats, who can be returned to their environment or adopted into a home, as well as kittens recovered from community cat colonies. In the photo above, it’s a Russian Blue boy for Paislee, thanks to Nana Cathy. Even before they left the Blount shelter, Paislee had picked out a name, “Coco,” for this little one who Paislee said will stay in her room! Photo by Kristin Yarbrough. — TNR programs benefit adult cats, who can be returned to their environment or adopted into a home, as well as kittens recovered from community cat colonies. In the photo above, it’s a Russian Blue boy for Paislee, thanks to Nana Cathy. Even before they left the Blount shelter, Paislee had picked out a name, “Coco,” for this little one who Paislee said will stay in her room!

How to Help Friendly & Feral Community Cats

Trap, neuter, return (TNR) is the only effective and humane method of stabilizing populations of feral and friendly community cats. Healthy adult cats are sterilized, vaccinated against rabies, ear-tipped, and returned to the location at which they were found. The cats’ good condition is evidence that they already have food and shelter and are likely to continue thriving; and sterilization is healthy, reduces undesirable behaviors like yowling and fighting, and of course, ends reproduction.

Catch and kill approaches do not work because of what is called the vacuum effect, in which more kittens are born and more cats move in to take advantage of the food available in a community. Catch and kill is cruel, ineffective, and a waste of tax dollars.

TNR stabilizes cat populations by preventing new kittens from being born, saving tax dollars and lives. For a thorough explanation of TNR, see Alley Cat Allies’ guide, and this keynote address by Dr. Kate Hurley is worth watching in its entirety.

Reduced-cost spay & neuter for feral and community cats is available through Alabama Spay Neuter in Irondale. Make an appointment for the cats hanging around your house. Transportation is available from Oneonta and other areas for $8.
Get help with costs! These organizations may contribute to or cover expenses.
Traps can be borrowed from Blount County’s shelter (for a small deposit) and Alabama Spay Neuter, or purchased from Tractor Supply and similar stores. Alley Cat Allies provides recommendations and guidance on traps.

If you need assistance with trapping, transport, or expenses, please ask your neighbors, request help on Facebook local groups, or call the shelter. With TNR, cats can live healthy lives in your community.