How to Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR)

How to Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR)

The purpose of this page is to provide some info on Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR). Our city neighborhoods in Johnstown, PA are over-run with cats, and local shelters clearly aren’t equipped to handle the problem. Some of these kitties are feral (not friendly/never handled by humans), and others tame (abandoned pets?). Many of these cats are not spayed/neutered. Considering that female cats can have multiple litters a year and start breeding before they are one year old, this is a major problem!

TNR has many advantages! Cats who are “fixed” (spayed/neutered) are no longer producing more kittens that are likely to have a poor quality of life. All those cats on the street eat wildlife, and bird populations are DECREASING (we have lost 3 Billion birds in North America since 1970!). Fixed cats are also less likely to get into fights, and thus less likely to get injured and spread disease.

So, how to do it?!

First, always start with the right equipment. You need more serious equipment if you are doing TNR on feral cats, but even a friendly cat may get nervous or try and scratch when you try and handle it; so you always need to be cautious!

Second, consider the cost. TNR can be pretty expensive; I actively solicit donations but I also end of paying out of pocket. Spaying and neutering, plus vaccination at a veterinarian can run you well over $150 for a male to over $200 for a female. Clinics are the way to go; prices are less than $100 per cat and cover all the basics! Clinics are often hosted by local cat organizations or your local Animal Shelter. In Western PA, check social media (Facebook), to find the most current clinics being offered by these organizations: Humane Society of Cambria County, Fat Cat, Nardecchia. Fix’n Wagon is a mobile clinic that travels, and you can check their website to see where their next clinics will be held and whether they will be public (https://fixnwagn.com/).

Note: If acquiring all this equipment seems like too much, note I loan out my equipment locally for a refundable fee of $50. Sorry about the fee; but I want to make sure it comes back!

TNR of a friendly cat:

·        Animal handling gloves; must extend to elbow. I have a lighter weight pleather pair because I’m handling cats, not dogs! Even though you are picking up a “friendly” cat, it may behave unexpectedly when you try and pick it up, and the gloves will help you! I also recommend a long-sleeve shirt!

·        Carrier! I have picked up the cat and placed it immediately into a carrier. My husband is often my trusted assistant but I have also done this alone.

·        Picking up recommendations; If you are picking up a friendly cat or kitten, I recommend gently scooping them up from underneath and holding their bottom. Adult cats will definitely respond better to this kind of hold. Please do not try to scruff an adult cat. See this video for hold techniques: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cTt3_Jxa1o and this link for reasons why not to scruff adult cats: https://www.thesprucepets.com/why-you-should-not-scruff-a-cat-4766590

·        Note; When I catch a friendly cat, TNR usually turns to TNF (Trap-Neuter-Foster). Once I have a sweet kitty in my hands, I don’t like putting them back on the cold-hearted streets! Sometimes I keep them, and sometimes I find other good homes for them!

TNR of a feral cat:

Learning how to do TNR has been a major learning process for me! First, timing is key! I don’t like keeping Feral cats long, so I’ve learned to do my actual trapping the night before a clinic. Once I get them in a trap; that is where they stay for the night! The last thing you want to do after successfully trapping a feral is try to move them and lose them in the process.

·   Types of equipment:

o   For catching any ‘ol cat you can use an auto trap (bare minimum this is what you need!!)

§  I recommend this brand, which comes with a divider (super important!)

§  https://www.livetrap.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=32616

o   If you need to catch a particular cat (a female, some kittens, etc); then I recommend a “drop” trap. For this trap; you tie a string to it. You then get comfortable and sit and wait! Once the cat you desire is eating under the trap, you pull the string, and down comes the trap! Note; you can convert the trap above to this type of trap using a string tied to a plastic water bottle (which holds open the door); again, pull string when you want to catch your cat!

§  https://www.livetrap.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30249

o   For the drop trap; it is essential to have a “transfer cage” to extract the cat from the drop trap.

§  https://www.livetrap.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30759

o   Also essential with the drop trap; trap divider. These are also really useful if you will have a feral cat in a cage for any length of time!

§  https://www.livetrap.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30177

·        Recovery cage or space: Male cats need 24 hours to recover post-surgery, while females need 3 days. A small dog kennel works nicely as a recovery cage! You can outfit it with a small litter box, food and water bowl. Amazon also sells “cat hammocks” so they can get off the floor

o   https://www.amazon.com/RivenAn-Hanging-Adjustable-Comfortable-Waterproof/dp/B07YW5NWPV

·        Here is a nice trapping kit that can get you started on TNR!

o   https://www.livetrap.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30187

How to TNR a feral

·       If you have your equipment (gloves, minimum of one good trap), then you are ready to get started!

·       Start by setting your cage out at least 3-4 days in advance. Evening is a good time to trap because cats are very active then.

·       Make sure cage is tied or propped open; put something very tempting in cage to “train” cats to go in and out. Put a lot of food in as bait (e.g. lots of treats/ whole can of wet food) so multiple cats will learn to go in.

·       Night of; Check trap every 30 minutes! If using a drop-trap, you’ll be sitting there : ) If you fail to catch a cat the night before a clinic (or it escapes); you can always get up early and try again in the morning! I have experienced success in that situation (e.g. Don’t give up!).

·   Be prepared #1: Prep transfer cage in advance! I like to have a pet pad on the bottom of my transfer cage ready. Those cages are too small for litter and your feral is going to spend one miserable night in a pretty small space. Their life will be more comfortable if you put a pet pad in at least.

·   Be prepared #2: Prep Recovery cage. I set up my recovery cage with newspaper on the bottom, a litter pan, food and water. The cat is groggy so its not too difficult to maneuver it in post-surgery using a trap divider. If the weather is nice enough, I keep the feral(s) on a table in my garage. If it’s cold, they stay in my insulated attic! Once they are in the Recovery cage, I don’t move them from it until I release them back outside. Last thing I want is a feral cat loose in my house!!!

Also; don't forget to ear-tip! If you are going to the trouble of doing TNR, ask the vet for this. They will take a tiny slice off one of the cats ears. Then, if anyone traps them again, they can be released immediately because the trapper now knows they have already been TNR'd. This is is universal signal of a TNR'd kitty! 

Good luck!