TRAP NEUTER RETURN

Good for our community! Good for cats!

 (en español)

Trap Neuter Return is a process in which feral cats 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 merely opens up territory for new ones to move in. This is known as the ‘vacuum effect’.  Feral cats are not adoptable and are likely destroyed when turned in to shelters. TNR is the most humane and ONLY proven effective long term solution in reducing feral 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.

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.  

FREE SPAY/NEUTER for FERAL CATS (in traps)

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

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.  For June 2021 those dates are: June 2, June 17 and June 30, NO SURGERY dates for April 2021. And as instructed below- call before bringing any to the clinic. Not available to Marana/Sahuarita residents.

How it works: Drop off in a secure trap or kennel between 9am-11am and pick up the next day at 9am.
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 And Sahuarita) 

TNR is by appointment only. If you are trapping yourself, please call our clinic at 520-881-0321 to determine surgery availability based upon your planned trapping schedule. If you need assistance with trapping and transport, you can contact and coordinate with the Community Cat Program Coordinator at carnold@hssaz.org or call 520-327-6088 x186.  More info here.

Spay and Neuter Solutions

Apply for certificates for free spay/neuter for feral cats by completing the application on the SNS website.  Trappers will be able to select one of the partnering clinics: Arizona Spay Neuter, Santa Cruz Clinic or ABC Clinic. Once approved, you will contact the clinic before you start trapping for instructions on bringing in the trapped cats(s) as the clinics understand you will not be able to make an “appointment” in advance to do so. (SNS also serves colony caretakers out of Pima County).

Trap Loan Resources
Don’t trap without a plan!

TO HELP YOU PLAN: Tucson TNR Advocates Resources

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 CommunityCats@pima.gov
  • Hermitage Cat Shelter: (520) 571-7839
  • Pawsitively Cats (520) 289-2747
  • Spay and Neuter Solutions (520) 323-2221
  • The Last Resort (520) 792-9290
  • Tucson CARES (520) 990-8912
  • Tucson Feral Coalition (520) 256-0443  and check their website for more helpful TNR details http://tucsonferalcat.org/
  • 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

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

Spay and Neuter Solutions for more information call  (520) 247-6469

FREE cat food for cat colony caretakers at Cody’s Friends.