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What is TNR?
Commonly referred to as “TNR” (Trap-Neuter-Return), this is the only method proven to be both humane and effective at controlling the growth of feral cat populations. In this approach, feral cats within a colony are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, and then returned to their original territory, where dedicated caretakers provide them with regular food and shelter. While performing TNR, you may sometimes come across kittens. It’s important not to rush into removing them right away, unless they are in danger. Instead, take time to quietly observe the area where the kittens were found to see if the mother cat returns. Mother cats often leave their kittens temporarily to search for food and are usually nearby. Please be patient — the most important thing you can do is wait and watch for the mother’s return. If you decide to remove kittens, please make sure you have a plan in place. This could involve fostering them yourself with the support of a local shelter or rescue group. Be sure to reach out and ask for assistance. While many rescues may not have the volunteer capacity to immediately take in more cats, they might be able to offer resources—such as supplies, guidance, or veterinary connections—to help you care for the kittens until they can be transferred and made available for adoption. It’s important to remember that it takes a village to save lives—every effort, no matter how small, makes a difference. Together, our compassion and teamwork can create real change for these animals.
TNR offers many benefits. It immediately stabilizes the size of a feral cat colony by preventing new litters. Nuisance behaviors commonly associated with unneutered cats—such as loud yowling, fighting, and the strong odor from territorial spraying—are significantly reduced. Additionally, the returned, sterilized cats continue to occupy their territory, deterring new, unneutered cats from moving in and restarting the cycle of overpopulation and disruptive behavior. In urban areas especially, these cats also provide a valuable service by helping to control rodent populations naturally.
Another major advantage of TNR is that, when implemented on a large scale, it reduces the number of kittens and cats entering local shelters. This leads to lower euthanasia rates and increases the chances of adoption for cats already in the shelter system.
TNR isn’t just the best option for managing feral cat populations—it’s the only one that truly works. Doing nothing has led to the current overpopulation crisis. Attempting to "rescue" and rehome every feral cat may sound ideal, but it's unrealistic given their vast numbers and the difficulty of socializing most adult ferals. The “trap and remove” approach is also ineffective, unless the cats are in immediate danger or their food and shelter sources are being eliminated due to land development or other disruptions.
If even a few cats are left behind, they will continue to breed, and the population will quickly rebound. That’s why, during large-scale trapping efforts, it's critical that caretakers monitor the area for any unaltered newcomers. Even if all the cats are removed, unneutered cats from elsewhere will eventually move in to take advantage of any available food or shelter—especially if food is still being provided—restarting the cycle.
This reality is why more and more animal control agencies are turning to TNR as a practical, humane, and sustainable solution.
TNR isn’t just the best option for managing feral cat populations—it’s the only one that truly works. Doing nothing has led to the current overpopulation crisis. Attempting to "rescue" and rehome every feral cat may sound ideal, but it's unrealistic given their vast numbers and the difficulty of socializing most adult ferals. The “trap and remove” approach is also ineffective, unless the cats are in immediate danger or their food and shelter sources are being eliminated due to land development or other disruptions.
If even a few cats are left behind, they will continue to breed, and the population will quickly rebound. That’s why, during large-scale trapping efforts, it's critical that caretakers monitor the area for any unaltered newcomers. Even if all the cats are removed, unneutered cats from elsewhere will eventually move in to take advantage of any available food or shelter—especially if food is still being provided—restarting the cycle.
This reality is why more and more animal control agencies are turning to TNR as a practical, humane, and sustainable solution.
Recovery Care for Cats in Humane Traps
Trapping Tips & Tricks
Before trapping a cat it is best to secure a TNR appointment if possible. Resources for TNR appointments are listed under our Community Resource tab.
Trap Training 101
Trap training for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a process that involves putting food near a trap to train a cat to enter it:
Secure the trap: Raise the front door of the trap
Place the trap: Put the trap in the cat's territory, near its feeding area
Put out food: Place the cat's food on the ground a couple of feet away from the trap's front door
Repeat: Keep putting the food in the same spot until the cat starts eating it
Move the food: Gradually move the food closer to the front of the trap
Trap the cat: On the scheduled trapping date, bait the trap and set the trigger when the cat is used to eating
Secure the trap: Raise the front door of the trap
Place the trap: Put the trap in the cat's territory, near its feeding area
Put out food: Place the cat's food on the ground a couple of feet away from the trap's front door
Repeat: Keep putting the food in the same spot until the cat starts eating it
Move the food: Gradually move the food closer to the front of the trap
Trap the cat: On the scheduled trapping date, bait the trap and set the trigger when the cat is used to eating
Using a "Drop Trap" for trapping
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