How to TNR
Helping Community Cats Live Healthier Lives
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the most effective and humane way to reduce outdoor cat overpopulation while improving the health and well-being of community cats.
By preventing future litters, providing essential medical care, and stabilizing colonies, TNR creates lasting benefits for both cats and the neighborhoods they call home.
WHAT IS TNR?
A Humane Solution That Works
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the process of humanely trapping community cats, having them spayed or neutered and vaccinated, and then returning them to their outdoor home.
Community cats are often not socialized to people and thrive in outdoor environments. TNR allows these cats to remain in their familiar territory while preventing future litters and improving their overall health.
Rather than endlessly reproducing, colonies gradually stabilize and decline over time.
WHY TNR MATTERS
Small Actions Create Lasting Change
Fewer Kittens Born Outdoors
One unspayed female cat and her offspring can contribute to hundreds of kittens over time. TNR helps break the cycle of overpopulation before it begins.
More Stable Colonies
When cats are fixed, behaviors such as yowling, spraying, roaming, and territorial fighting are significantly reduced.
Healthier Community Cats
Spay and neuter surgeries reduce injuries caused by fighting and mating behaviors. Vaccinations provide additional protection against preventable diseases.
Safer for Neighborhoods
TNR creates a balanced, humane solution that benefits both community cats and the people who care about them.
THE IMPACT OF TNR
Every Cat Fixed Changes the Future
When TNR is successful
✓ Dramatic decrease in euthanasia
✓ Fewer new litters are born
✓ Existing cats become healthier and safer
✓ Shelters receive fewer kittens
✓ Caregivers spend less time managing population growth
✓ Communities experience fewer nuisance behaviors
TNR doesn't simply help one cat, it improves the future of an entire colony.
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
From Request to Return
Submit a Request
Complete our TNR request form and tell us about the cats you are caring for.
Speak with a TNR Specialist
Our team will review your request and help coordinate appointments, trap loans, free trap classes and more.
Humanely Trap the Colony
Cats are safely trapped prior to their appointment using approved humane traps.
Spay, Neuter & Vaccinate
Each cat is fixed, receives a general health screening, scan for Microchip, and FVRCP & rabies vaccines.
Allow Time for Recovery
Cats recover safely after surgery under caregiver supervision.
Return to Their Home
Once recovered, the trapper returns the cats to the location where they were originally trapped.
What You'll Need
PREPARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
To ensure a successful TNR appointment
Have approved humane traps for each cat or loan ours
Transportation to and from the clinic
A safe recovery space
Accurate information about your colony
Street Cat Hub provides free trapping class, trap loan service with refundable deposit, general health screening, scan for Microchip, and FVRCP & rabies vaccines.
Ready to Help Community Cats Thrive?
Whether you're caring for a single outdoor cat or managing an entire colony, every TNR appointment helps create a healthier future.
TNR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Still have questions?
-
No, there is no experience needed and no age limit to trapping. We help guide first-time caregivers through the entire process.
-
No, cats arriving in carriers have to be transferred to traps which is stressful for the cat and unsafe for the person transferring so your appointment will be rescheduled.
-
Yes, if you use your own trap, we recommend TruCatch 30LTD, which is 30”x11”x9”.
-
Street Cat HUB is not a veterinary clinic; we only provide TNR services. If you have found a cat or kitten that is ill or injured and requires medical assistance, please refer to our veterinary services page.
-
If you are bringing in a cat for TNR that you believe may be ill or injured, please notify staff during the intake process. The vet on staff during your scheduled spay/neuter will do a general health screening and we will provide treatment as feasible.
-
We do not accept requests for kitten surrenders; we provide spay/neuter with return only.
-
Do not trap kittens under 2 pounds (roughly 8-10 weeks) unless you are prepared to house them yourself or have already arranged their entry to a shelter or rescue.
-
It is your responsibility (as the trapper of the cats/kittens) to return the cats/kittens to the location where you trapped them. It is illegal to remove and relocate cats.
-
If you are unable or uninterested in utilizing our self trapping resources, please select “Report a Colony” in the dropdown menu under “What services are you requesting?”.
Please do not hesitate to report a colony, as this helps us identify and target areas with larger colonies. Please also consider talking to your neighbors, as they may already be working with us to TNR the cats in your neighborhood, or be willing to collaborate with you and others on self-trapping.
-
We encourage you to socialize feral kittens if you want to reduce the number of stray cats in your neighborhood and improve the odds you’ll be able to find them a home or shelter/rescue placement.
This is easiest before they’re 7 weeks old, however with patience and persistence it can be successful with older kittens as well.
Here are a few helpful resources: