TNR Information

The Columbia County Humane Society’s TNR program provides spay/neuter and vaccination services to feral cats. Any person who wants to have a feral cat spayed or neutered, and who agrees to our guidelines is welcome to participate (a fee may apply based on current TNR funds).  Guidelines are based off of Wisconsin Humane Society protocol.  Please contact savink9s@aol.com for more information.

What is a feral cat?

Feral cats cannot be picked up or handled by humans. They are the offspring of outdoor cats who roam free and are not sterilized. These wild cats are often many generations removed from human ownership and cannot be placed into a typical home situation.

What is Trap-Neuter-Return?

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a method of humanely controlling feral cat populations. TNR involves several steps. First, the cats are humanely trapped. The cats are then sterilized and vaccinated and receive an ear-tip (a small notch in the cat’s left ear that confirms that he or she has been sterilized). Socialized cats are adopted into homes, and cats who are truly feral are returned to their original location.

What are the advantages of Trap-Neuter-Return?

There are many advantages of Trap-Neuter-Return. Besides ending the breeding of more unwanted cats, it also reduces the number of free-roaming cats. Additionally, TNR stops many nuisance cat behaviors like spraying, yowling and fighting. Through TNR, cats are vaccinated and sterilized, and unhealthy cats are removed.

Trapping Tips

 • Bait the trap with smelly foods such as wet cat food or tuna set as far back in the trap as possible to prevent the cat from getting injured when the trap door shuts.

• To set the trap, pull the bottom door upward and attach it to the hook on the right side of the door. This holds the door open for the cats and raises the trip plate, which will close the trap when the cats step on it.

• Do not trap in extreme temperatures. Doing so may put the cats in danger, as cats may injure themselves trying to escape the trap or be accessible to predators.  If you inadvertently trap a wild animal, release the animal immediately. If you have questions or concerns about wild animals, please contact the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at 414-431-6204. Information is also available online at www.wihumane.org/wildlife

• Cover the trap with a sheet or towel immediately once the cat is trapped. This will help to keep the cat calm.

• If you trap a lactating mother (generally indicated by extremely enlarged mammary glands), release her immediately. Young kittens rely on their mother for food and may not survive without her. Additionally, kittens should not be taken from their mother until they are eating on their own and ideally not until they are 8 weeks old.

• If you find kittens, do not automatically assume they are abandoned. Their mother may have left for a short time. Check back to see if the mother has returned before treating the kittens as abandoned.

Pre-Surgery Guidelines

• Prepare the area where you will hold the cats prior to taking them to be fixed. You may wish to prepare your vehicle by laying down newspapers or towels.

 • Provide all cats with water.

• Food should be withheld after 10 p.m. the evening prior to surgery if possible. Post-Surgery Discharge Instructions

Post-surgery Guidelines

• Full recovery from anesthesia may take up to 24 hours. During this time it is important to keep the cat in his/her trap and allow them to rest. Limit interruptions to allow them to recover with minimal additional stress.

• Cats must be kept in a safe, warm place away from other animals to recover from surgery.  You can use a garage, basement, bathroom, or extra room, as long as it is safe and warm. Setting the trap on bricks with a sheet of plastic underneath, which will keep the cage and your space clean and dry. There may be a few drops of blood in the bottom of the cage and this is normal. Do not put additional items, such as blankets or litterboxes, in the trap. Only food and water dishes should be in the trap with the cat.  Keep the trap covered loosely with a towel or sheet to help the cat relax and regulate body temperature.

• Adult cats over 5 months of age, offer a little food and water the morning after surgery. If he or she keeps the food down, you can offer more.

•  Kittens under 5 months of age, offer food the day of surgery once the kitten is fully awake.

•  All cats and kittens should be provided with water once fully alert.

• The cat may not urinate or defecate during the first day or two of the holding period.

• Cats do not require suture removal after the surgery.

• Male cats must be kept inside the trap for at least 24 hours post-surgery.  Do not release unless the cat is eating and is fully alert.

 • Female cats must be kept inside the trap for at least 48 hours post-surgery.  Do not release unless the cat is eating and is fully alert.

 • Cats need to be returned to their original outdoor location and not relocated to another area. Relocating them can put them in danger because they are not familiar with the area.

If any complications arise from the surgery you may contact CCHS.

Do not release the cat while they are showing any of these signs:

 Typical post-surgical behaviors:

  • Deep sleep
  • Head bobbing
  • Wobbly movements
  • Fast breathing
  • Shivering

Behaviors of concern:

  • Excessive bleeding from the incision
  • Inability to lift head by evening
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Any abnormalities of the surgical site
  • Lethargy beyond the first day of recovery

CCHS COMMUNITY CAT TRAP NEUTER & RELEASE (TNR) EXPECTATIONS AND GUIDELINES

  1. This program and funding is for un-owned/feral cats & kittens in Columbia County. 
    1. Cats fed and maintained on private property in need of spay/neuter may contact shelter for discounted voucher or check out upcoming feral cat spay at neuter clinics at the following locations:
    2. Spay Me! Clinic 4475 Robertson Road, Madison 608-224-1400 Spayme.com
    3. Precision Vet 6107 Odana Road, Madison 608-405-3148 Precisionveterinary.com
  • Trapping: Please follow safe trapping guidelines outline in CCHS TNR Protocol and avoid trapping at times of inclement weather or when you are unable to check the trap on a regular basis.
    • Please evaluate and consider the overall health of cat prior to undergoing anesthesia.
  • Sick and/or injured cats can be brought to CCHS.
    • Nursing mom with kittens:
      • Kittens that are easily socialized can be fixed and available for adoption at CCHS.
      • Feral mothers will be fixed and released.
  • Volunteers must have a spot (garage, basement or spare room in house) that they are comfortable housing cats to monitor the day after surgery before releasing to original site.
  • CCHS will help in providing crate and or food if needed.  Contact CCHS prior to arriving to discuss any items needed.
  • Nursing mom with no kittens on site:
    • Mother needs to be fixed and released to original site in less than 48 hours.
  • Transportation:
    • Recommended to place a tarp or water proof mat to protect your vehicle in case of any accidents.
  • Wash or clean any dishes, blankets or other items used in TNR or transportation prior to reusing to reduce the potential for spread of disease, fleas, etc.
  • This is a volunteer based program to which CCHS is not liable.
    • We can’t thank you enough for your action, support and understanding.

YOU are making a difference!

“The solution to the feral cats that already exist is the one no one wants to hear: accepting the fact that feral cats will live among us, and taking responsibility for controlling their numbers by trapping, neutering, and returning them to their outdoor territories.” -Denise Flaim