What Is a Feral Cat/TNR?

​

Feral Cat -  a cat that lives outside and is not socialized to humans. Feral cats can live long, healthy lives, content in their colonies, where they have access to food and shelter. However, an unmanaged colony can become a problem, with rampant breeding and the onset of problem mating behaviors.

​

TNR - acronym for Trap-Neuter-Return, a humane sterilization method designed to prevent the reproduction of feral cat colonies. There are three main steps to this process:

​

T = TRAP

Stray and feral cats are humanely trapped and evaluated by a colony caregiver. The evaluation process allows the caregiver to separate friendly strays and kittens 12 weeks old and younger (who are good candidates for socialization) from the feral cats.

​

N = Neuter

The feral cats are transported to Twin Ports Spay/Neuter or another participating clinic to be sterilized, vaccinated, and ear-tipped. Ear-tipping is an effective way to visually identify a sterilized feral cat in a managed colony.

​

R = Return

After the surgery, healthy adult feral cats will be returned to their familiar habitat under the supervision of the caregiver while friendly strays and kittens begin the adoption process.