What is T-N-R?

Unowned cats, who typically live together in a group called a colony, are trapped and brought to a veterinary clinic to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and eartipped. After they have recovered from their surgeries, the cats are returned back to their original territory where a caretaker provides regular food and water. 

Other terms for an unowned cat include: feral, stray, community cat.

What is an ear tip?

Eartipping is an effective and universally accepted method to identify a spayed or neutered cat. It is the removal of the distal one-quarter of a cat's left ear. This procedure is performed under sterile conditions while the cat is already anesthetized for spay or neuter surgery. Although tipping the left ear is the most common and clearly identifiable, some vets will tip the right ear or notch the ear. It is important to examine the ears of any cats that have been trapped to ensure they have not already been spayed or neutered. 

TNR benefits 

TNR is the humane and effective alternative to euthanizing unowned cats. Scientific studies show that trap-neuter-return improves the lives of unowned cats, improves their relationships with the people who live near them, and decreases the size of colonies over time.

TNR helps to stop the breeding cycle altogether, and therefore improves their lives while preventing reproduction. TNR relieves cats of the constant stresses of mating and pregnancy. Mating behaviors cease, like roaming, yowling, spraying, and fighting. 

Be part of the solution! 

​We are happy to provide training, traps, and resources!