Trap-Neuter-Return/Release (TNR)

Now that winter is upon us, we will be stopping our TNR Program for cats that have to be live trapped. It will be too cold to have cats stuck in a live trap overnight. If you need help with TNR during the cold months, and the cats are tame and have a warm shelter for them the night after being altered, we can still help. If you need financial assistance, and/or a country home for the cat(s) to go to once altered, please continue reading our TNR procedure.

Trap, Neuter, Return/Release (TNR) is a method for attempting to humanely and effectively manage the free-roaming and feral cat population. The process involves: live-trapping cats during the warmer months, spaying/neutering, ear-tipping for ID, vaccinating for rabies, and releasing the cat(s) back to their territory. If the location is deemed unsafe or otherwise inappropriate, the cats will be relocated to welcoming farm homes if available.

Why TNR?

• TNR stops cats having multiple litters a year
• TNR helps cut down on cats roaming
• TNR helps reduce cats being aggressive
• TNR helps stop spreading disease
• TNR helps reduce the number of cats in shelters and rescues

If you need assistance with TNR, the very first step is to complete a TNR application. Please be as specific as possible in regard to the number of cats needing to be altered, the gender(s), and if you need them to be relocated to another area. Once the application is submitted, a volunteer will generally get back to you within 48 hours. If your application is approved, we will approve you to make vet appointments at one of our TNR-approved vet clinics, West Union Vet Clinic or Postville Vet Clinic. You will be responsible for making the appointments, getting the cat(s) to the vet, and picking them back up. At the vet the cats will be given a rabies vaccine and altered. Heart Animal Rescue will pay for these vet costs if funds are available, and your TNR application is approved. Donations are gladly accepted and appreciated.

Once you know what cat(s) you need to have TNR'D it does help us to find farm homes for them if you can get pictures of them. These can be emailed or messaged to us so that we can post on the Heart TNR Facebook page to hopefully obtain a farm/country home for the cat(s) to go to once vetted. A Heart volunteer will post this request on the Facebook page, Heart TNR Homes. If no farm or country home is available, the cat(s) will need to go back to where they were initially caught.

TNR’ing many cats is a big undertaking. The positives are less kittens and a smaller undertaking in the future if the issue is addressed before 10 cats turn into 100 cats. Remember, it's not the fault of the kittens from unwanted litters. It's not the fault of all cats just looking for food who were born feral, dumped, or left behind. It's up to all of us to help make a difference! Please spay and neuter!