TRAP NEUTER RETURN

Good for our community! Good for cats!

 (en español)

Trap Neuter Return is a process in which community cats  (cats living outside) are humanely trapped and sterilized by veterinarians. After recovery, they are released back to the EXACT location in which they were trapped. Not only does TNR put an end to the cycle of breeding, removing cats would merely open up territory for new ones to move in. This is known as the ‘vacuum effect’.  In some places, cats that cant be adopted are just destroyed when turned in to shelters. TNR is the most humane and ONLY proven effective long term solution in reducing cat populations.

If you or someone in your neighborhood is looking for ways to keep community cats off of their property, please consider this lengthy list of options for Humane Cat Deterrents.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

SNIP n TIP is coming

February 13-15, FREE SPAY/NEUTER and VACCINES for unowned community cats and kittens living in Pima County (RESERVE YOUR SPACE by LINK BELOW)

  • Pima Animal Care Center’s Biannual Snip and Tip event | 4000 N. Silverbell | Cats and kittens (kittens must weigh at least 1.5 pounds and have a commited caretaker to monitor them after surgery) | Anyone can bring in an outdoor cat in a secure carrier (friendly cats) or a trap (feral/unsocialized cats) | No limit to number of cats | People bringing cats are responsible for returning them to same location they were trapped/picked up | cats will receive S/N, FVRCP and rabies vaccines, microchip, EARTIP and minor medical treatment as appropriate. (a cat who already has an ear tip means they are already altered). Female cats will also recive a tattoo on belly. There are noexceptions/changes to these services  | If you need to borrow a trap or carrier for this event, contact PACC Community Cat Program send email to communitycats@pima.gov. Cats should arrive in one cat per carrier | Please sign up for the event at https://waitwhile.com/locations/snipntip and make an appointment for each cat you plan to bring | Surgery drop-off hours are:
    • Friday, February 13th, from 3 pm to 6 pm
    • Saturday, February 14th, from 7 am to noon
    • Saturday, February 14th, from 3 pm to 6 pm
    • Sunday, February 15th, from 7 am to noon

You will receive a text and/or call when the cat is ready to be picked up. For                   cats brought in before 12pm, it will be later the same day. For cats dropped off             after 12pm, they will stay overnight and receive surgery the following            morning, pick up will be early afternoon after  surgery. Cats will need to stay in the               carrier or trap for recovery until the day after surgery. 

The Pima Animal Care Center’s Community Cat Program 

Pima Animal Care Center has a locally funded Community Cat Trap Neuter Return Program. Consider calling or writing as a point of contact for questions regarding free-roaming neighborhood cats, humane trap loan, information on participating no or low cost clinics for spay/neuter of feral and Community Cats and assistance with trapping and transport.  email:  CommunityCats@pima.gov or call (520) 724-5983.  

The Human Society of Southern Arizona  Community Cat Program 

TNR is by appointment only. Cats must be in humane traps for TNR services – no crates or carriers. If you are trapping yourself, please call our clinic at (520) 881-0321 to determine surgery availability based on your planned trapping schedule. You must make an appointment BEFORE trapping cats. HSSA will work with all trappers to determine a convenient surgery date for the trapper based on our surgery availability. At this time we cannot accept unscheduled cats for TNR. If you need assistance with trapping and transport, you can contact the Community Cat Program by email communitycats@hssaz.org or call (520) 327-6088 x186.

HSSA also hosts The Southern Arizona Community Cat Coalition which includes regular meetings (join by zoom or in person), a newsletter, weekly group trapping events (for the experienced or for newbies) and other educational or fun events with like minded friends! For more info or to join/participate go to their private Facebook page  or  contact their Community Cat Program:  communitycats@hssaz.org or call(520) 327-6088 x186.

Happy Tails TNR and Animal Rescue 

TNR assistance in the greater Tucson area and foster/adoption service for kittens born in a community cat colony.   Website and contact form.  happytailsaz@gmail.com (520) 481-5794

PAWS PATROL (Green Valley) 

TNR service in Green Valley, Sahuarita and Nogales. 650 W. Camino Casa Verde Suite 120.  (520) 207-4024.  Open Tues-Saturday 10am to 2pm.   https://www.greenvalleypawspatrol.org/

FREE SPAY/NEUTER for FERAL/OUTDOOR CATS

Santa Cruz Veterinary Clinic (Marana and Sahuarita residents see next entry) 

Santa Cruz has FREE Feral cat spay and neuter Monday-Friday.  There are various dates each month that don’t have surgery available so do make sure they will be open a day or two before you set traps (and/or check the facebook page for Asavet Charities).  EG the currently expected dates for December 2025 they will not accept feral cats are: 12/5, 12/24 (closed), 12/25 (closed), 1/1/26(closed).  Call or check Santa Cruz Veterinary  Clinic facebook page for information/updates . Not available to Marana/Sahuarita residents. (520) 889-9644.
How it works: Drop off in a secure trap or kennel between 9am-11am and pick up the next day at 9am. (Update- Friday drop offs will need to be picked up friday night and kept in their trap overnight for full recovery). Surgery includes Spay/Neuter, PRC & Rabies vaccine, fluids, left ear tip to prove sterilization, and any medical treatments that are deemed necessary by the doctor.
Feral cat MEDICAL care is also available for free. Donations are greatly appreciated. No appointment is needed. Drop off between 9am-11am. If immediate medical attention is needed and falls outside of the drop off time please contact us before arriving.

Humane Society of Southern Arizona (including residents of Marana, Sahuarita and other counties beyond Pima) 

HSSA  has TNR availability on Mondays for volunteer trappers or public trappers. Cats can be dropped off between 6 – 8:30 am the morning of. Pick up is the same day at 3 pm (if you have space to hold them overnight), OR, the following morning between 8 – 8:30 am (this is flexible). Must be coordinated in advance! TNR only. Email afahey@hssaz.org. Our program is happy to lend traps and supplies to anyone who needs it. Cats must arrive in traps or wire carriers.    More info here.

Trap Loan Resources
Don’t trap without a plan!

There is no cost to borrow traps, although each organization has a trap loan agreement and requires a per trap deposit that is refunded when the traps are returned.

To borrow humane traps for the purposes of TNR contact the following resources:

  • Pima Animal Care Center (520) 724- 5983 or email CommunityCats@pima.gov (see June, 2025 message above regarding TNR and trap loans for PACC)
  • Hermitage Cat Shelter: (520) 571-7839
  • Pawsitively Cats (520) 289-2747
  • The Last Resort (520) 792-9290
  • Tucson CARES (520) 990-8912
  • LOVAR in Oro Valley (520) 979-2282
  • Humane Society of Southern Arizona (520) 327-6088 x 186

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Other resources for feral cats TNR and support.

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona. Check the website for details and call the HSSA Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic for more information:  520-881-0321. And for questions about moms and baby kittens you may call (520) 327-6088 x 186

Green Valley Paws Patrol  for more information call 520- 207-4024

No Kill Pima County for medical assistance for community cats. Call 520-477-7401 for more information.

FREE or very low cost cat food for cat colony caretakers

  • HSSAZ: Along with the pet pantry, colony caretakers can get one bag of food, once a month to supplement the food they buy for their community cats. The amount of food is not determined by number of cats cared for. Distribution is at the Humane Society, 635 W Roger Rd, on the first and third Wednesday (4-6PM) and Sunday (2-4PM) of each month. All distribution food for community cats comes from donations and is only available if we have donated food. There is an application on the website hssaz.org/petfood, and walk ins are accepted. There are currently no spay/neuter requirements
  • Hermitage: Along with their normal pet pantry, colony caretakers can pick up cat food for their community cats on Thursdays. There is an application and other requirements for this food. In return for food, Teri asks caretakers for a $5-$10 donation, clean tin cans, or volunteer hours from any organization. Caretakers are given either 20-25lbs of food depending on the size of the colony and food availability. Call or text Teri for more information 520-403-2398 or email purrfectpawstnr@yahoo.com
  • Cody’s Friends: Colony caretakers can email codyscommunitypets@gmail.com for more information on distribution days and amount of food given. Spay and neuter certificates are required for colony cats at this distribution.

Barn Cat aka Working Cat programs are adoption services for feral cats who cannot return to their original community.  Farm and ranch owners, for example, may be looking for cats to live on their property to take care of mice! The Humane Society of Southern Arizona and Pima Animal Care    Center both have programs.