The Humane & Proven Way to Control Feral Cat Populations

What is a “Community Cat”?

Community Cats is a term used to describe outdoor, unowned, free-roaming cats. These cats could be friendly, feral, adults, kittens, healthy, sick, altered and/or unaltered. They may or may not have a caregiver. By this definition, the only outdoor free-roaming cats who are not community cats are those who have an owner.

What is TNR?

TNR stands for Trap, Neuter & Return. APS-FH promotes TNR as the humane solution to the community cat, over-population problem. It is a program that stops breeding by trapping, spaying, or neutering and then returning cats to their original location (when possible).

What Does this Program Do?

• Ends the breeding cycle and stabilizes the population.
• is more effective and humane than extermination.
• eliminates or minimizes annoying behaviors such as spraying, yowling, and fighting.
• reduces the number of under-age kittens flooding animal shelters.

How Does it Work?

TRAP – The cats are humanely trapped.

NEUTER – The cats are taken to APS-FH where our vet then spays/neuters them. The left ear is “tipped” so people will recognize they have been sterilized and not attempt to trap them again.

RETURN – The cats are returned to their caregivers, who agree to continue to provide them with food, water, and some type of necessary shelter. Other options are to relocate them to properties and barns where they can be “working cats”.

Why is TNR Important?

Cats can breed as early as 4 months of age and can produce multiple litters in one year. If nothing is done to sterilize colonies of community cats, the problem will most likely reach unmanageable levels and lead to unnecessary suffering.