Trap-Neuter-Release Manual

Placer SPCA
Trap– Neuter- Release (TNR) Resource Guide
150 Corporation Yard Road
Roseville, Ca 95678
916-782-7722
www.placerspca.org
Hours: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 11am– 4pm
Wednesday & Thursday: 2pm—7pm
Mondays: Closed
Please see inside for more information on TNR for free-roaming or
community cats.
S.N.A.P
Spay and Neuter Assistance Program
The Placer SPCA also provides subsidized and free spay and
neuter services for cats, pitbulls, pitbull mixes, and rabbits whose
owners reside in Placer County.
For more information about our SNAP program visit our website
at www.placerspca.org/snap or give us a call at 916-782-7722 x
201.
What is Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR)?
 Trap: Humanely trap all the cats in a colony (a
group of cats living outdoors together).
 Neuter: Getting the cats that have been trapped
spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and ear-tipped (a
universal symbol indicating they have been
altered).
 Return: Return the cats to their original outdoor
home.
Why Trap– Neuter-Release?
TNR works to help end reproduction, stabilizes colony populations, and
improves the lives of the cats. Other benefits include:
♥ Gradual decline of the colony size.
♥ Sterilizing cats is cheaper than euthanizing them– saving tax dollars.
♥ Annoying behaviors such as yowling, fighting, spraying, and
roaming will stop or decrease dramatically.
♥ Vaccinations help protect both the human and cat communities
within the area.
Why Removing the Cats Doesn’t Work
Removing cats from their established
territory only means that other cats will
come in from outside the area to fill the
void. This “vacuum effect” is why you
have free-roaming cats in your
neighborhood even after years of
removal efforts.
Placer County’s Companion Animal Welfare Experts – Where Your Donations Stay Local
rev. 05/2014
916.782.7722, Ext. 112 or 530.885.7387, Ext. 112
Fax: 916.782.8655
snap@placerspca.org
www.placerspca.org
The Placer SPCA is a private, nonprofit organization not affiliated with any other entity. We do not receive donations through the ASPCA or HSUS.
1.11
150 Corporation Yard Road
Roseville, CA 95678
Thank you for Your Interest in Trap-Neuter-Release!
The Placer SPCA participates in an approach to solve the
problem of feral and stray cats within our community. This
process is known as Trap-Neuter-Release, or TNR.
If you are thinking about trapping cats in your area, please
read through this resource guide carefully so you can be as
prepared as possible for the journey ahead.
All cats brought to the Placer SPCA will be:
♥
♥
♥
Spayed or neutered
Vaccinated with a 1 year rabies vaccine
Ear tipped (the tip of the cat’s ear is surgically removed
to show that the cat has already been spayed or
neutered)
If you have any questions about TNR, would like to rent a
humane trap, or would like to make an appointment to
bring in a trapped cat to our Public Feral Clinic, please see
page 15 of this guide for more information or contact us.
Kathryn D’Anjou
SNAP Program Coordinator, Placer SPCA
(916) 782-7722, ext. 112
(530) 885-7387, ext. 112
snap@placerspca.org
The Placer SPCA offers a program for you to consider:
Public Feral Clinic.
We understand that not all trapping attempts are
successful, but for this clinic we will work with you to make
standing appointments in which you would bring the trapped cats
to our Roseville facility between 7:45 and 8:15 in the morning.
Cats MUST be brought in a trap a long with a clean plastic carrier
with your last name on it. We will not accept any cat that is not in
a trap. This is for both the safety of the cat(s) as well as our staff.
Cats will receive a rabies vaccine and an ear tip in
addition to being altered at no cost to the client. Any other
services that you would want for the cat would be up to you to
pay for.
Cats will be picked up between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. on the
same day. Cats will go home in the carrier you provided that
morning. We ask that if you are able to, hold the cat in its carrier
in a secluded room or bathroom for one night. This allows the cat
to recover from surgery and allow any drugs given to be
processed by the body. You can then release the cat(s) the very
next morning.
To inquire about our Public Feral Clinic please contact us at:
916-782-7722 x 112
530.885.7387, x 112
snap@placerspca.org
Traps: If you are in need of a trap, the Placer SPCA has traps
available for rental depending on availability. Trap rentals require
a $50.00 deposit by credit card. We will charge your card is if the
trap gets broken for any reason or is not returned.
15
A Word About Community Cats
Other resources to consider for information on trapping or the
care of free-roaming or community cats:

Alley Cat Allies
www.alleycat.org

AnimalSave
520 Main Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945
530-447-1706 www.animalsave.org

ASPCA
www.aspca.org/adopt/feral-cats-faq

FieldHaven
754 Ironwood Lane Lincoln, CA 95648
(916) 434-6022 www.fieldhaven.com

Happytails
6001 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95819
(916) 556-1155 www.happytails.com

Katch a Kitty
www.tokatchakitty.com/

Sacramento SPCA
6201 Florin-Perkins Road, Sacramento, Ca 95828
916.383.7387 www.sspca.org

Spay and Neuter Clinic in Auburn
530-889-8800
www.animalspayneuter.com/content/feral.htm
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There are many terms used for free-roaming cats. You might
have heard of a “feral” or “stray cat”, but what about the term
“community cats”? Community cats is a term that incorporates
both the feral and stray cats that roam free and live in our
communities. Community cats exist in almost any
environmental niches that have a plentiful food source.
Many may ask, “what is the difference between a stray and
feral cat?”. Before you begin trapping, it is helpful to determine
the difference for the cats you will be trapping. A “stray cat” is a
domestic cat who has been abandoned or has strayed from
home and become lost. A stray cat may be skiddish, but
because they once knew human companionship, they usually
can be socialized and rehomed. Adult “feral cats” usually
cannot be socialized and are most content living outside.
Feral Cats:
Stray Cats:





 Will not approach you
 Will wait until you leave before
approaching food
 Will be silent
 Will appear groomed
 May be more active at night or
only come out at night
Likely to approach you
May approach food right away
Likely to be vocal
May look disheveled
May be seen at all hours of the
day
What is Ear– Tipping?
Ear tipping is a safe, harmless, and widely accepted surgical
procedure, in which a portion of the upper left or right ear is
removed to mark a community cat as altered, and therefore no
longer reproducing. Ear-tipping is completely safe and rarely
requires special aftercare. In
addition to signifying an altered
cat, the presence of an ear tip
may also suggest that the cat is
part of a managed colony. Ear
tipping helps identify altered
cats and reduce unnecessary
surgeries.
3
Once you have returned the cats, provide food and water. If you
are continuing to care for them, you can resume the cat’s regular
feeding schedule.
Have a Plan.
Take time to feel comfortable and confident in your plan of
action. Review all the Trap-Neuter-Return steps and scenarios in
this guide.
The cats may stay away from the area for a few days after being
returned, but they will come back eventually.
Clean traps with non-toxic disinfectant. Throw out all newspaper,
and wash trap covers and any towels used.
Every trapping effort is different.
A colony’s location will have unique elements for you to
consider. Use your discretion and common sense to determine
any additional steps to those provided in this guide, and tailor the
basics to fit your colony’s situation.
Plan a site visit ahead of time.
Make note of where the cats have been feeding and make
a plan. Figure out where you will need to set the trap(s). Locate a
place where you can watch the traps without disrupting the cat’s
normal environment. If you are trapping on property that is not
yours, it is always best to contact the property owner to ask
permission to Trap, Neuter, and Release on their property. Find
out when and how you can gain access to the trapping location.
You have joined many other compassionate individuals to
improve and protect the lives of the outdoor cats in your
community.
♥
Trap any remaining colony members that eluded your first
round of trapping and any new comers that join the colony in
the future.
Establish a feeding pattern.
If a feeding pattern has not already been established, feed
the cats in the same place at the same time everyday. Preferably
this would be at a time and place that you will begin to trap them.
It will be helpful to establish a feeding pattern a few days prior to
when you wish to begin trapping.
Feed the cats as much as they can eat in a 30 min period
and pick up the food after that period. If you have a feeding
station, make sure it is positioned in an area that is free of human
traffic.
If others in the area are feeding the cats, you may need to
contact neighbors or distribute flyers that say you will be trapping
soon and ask them not to feed the cats until a later time.
♥
Alley Cat Allies is a great resource on trapping and caring for
free-roaming cats. You can find
best practices on continued care
for your colony at
www.alleycat.org/colonycare.
♥
If there are others who know of
free-roaming cats in their
community, encourage them to
take part in a Trap-Neuter-Release
program as well. The more
individuals who take part, the more
lives that can be saved.
4
After you have returned the altered free-roaming cats:
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Cats may be returned to you after surgery in the trap or a clean
plastic carrier that you provide. Confirm with the shelter or clinic
you will be taking your trapped cats to what type of carriers they
prefer.
Let the cats recover in their carrier or trap overnight in a secluded
room (bathrooms typically work great).
While cats are recovering, it can be beneficial to keep them
covered with a towel or sheet to reduce stress and keep them
calm.
Make sure you have the right type of humane trap.
There are many types of humane traps* on the market.
The most important thing is making sure the trap is the right
size. While there are different types of doors, doors should be
between 10-11 inches in width. This allows most veterinarians
and staff to safely transfer the cats from the trap to what’s
known as a feral box
without having to
physically handle the
cat. This is the safest
approach for both the
cat and staff.
Cats should be kept quiet in their carrier or trap overnight and
can be released the very next morning. While normally, the
recovery period is longer for owned pets, it is a good goal to
return the cats as soon as you can. Confinement can be very
stressful for feral cats.
Humane Cat Trap
Monitor the cats and keep an eye out for bleeding, infection,
illness or lack of appetite. If you see any of these signs, contact
your veterinarian immediately.
Release:
Return the cats to the
same location where you
trapped them. Early
morning is a good time to
release the cats. Point
the trap or carrier away
from roads or high-traffic
areas. Try to keep your
fingers and hands as far
from the cat as possible
when opening the front
door of the trap or carrier. It may take a few moments for the cats
to realize where they are, but they will usually run off once they
get their bearings.
Feral Box– Used by shelter and
some veterinary staff to safely
transfer cats from the trap to
the surgery suite without having
to physically handle them.
Example of transferring the cat
from the trap to the feral box.
* Please ask about the loan of a humane trap if you plan to trap, spay/neuter,
release, and care for a feral cat. Please see page 15 for more information
12
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Assemble your trapping kit.
Your trapping kit should include:
 Trap(s)

Bait (KFC/deli chicken, salmon/mackerel, canned
tuna, cat food– wet or dry).

Towels or sheets to cover traps during trapping and
transport.

Flashlights if trapping at night.

Plastic to cover traps if rain is forecast.

Weather and site appropriate clothing.

Utensils (forks or spoons) to scoop out bait; paper
towels, wipes.

Trash bags for tuna can lids, utensils, wipes, etc.

Carabiners, twist ties, or a wooden dowel to secure
the doors of the trap closed.

Thick gloves to wear for your safety and comfort
while carrying the cats in traps.

Vehicle liners such as cardboard, large plastic trash
bags, or towels in case cats spill left over bait or
have “accidents”.

Patience– trapping can be time-consuming and at
times, stressful. If you remember to stay calm and
follow the plan that you’ve devised, you will be
successful!
Prepare Equipment
Practice ahead of time how to set and bait traps. It’s
always a good idea to test all your traps before going out to
ensure they are functioning properly.
6

Spring the trap yourself: You
can manually spring the trap by
propping the door up with a
piece of wood or soda bottle and
tying a pull string to it. When the
cat you want enters, simply pull
the string to close the trap. Be
sure you practice first.

Take a break from trapping: If a cat will not go into
a trap after repeated attempts, take a break for a
week or two. The trap-shy cat needs to be
reconditioned to not be afraid of the trap.
If you are trapping in an area that has a lot of wildlife, you may
accidently trap them.
What can help prevent wildlife from entering your trap to begin
with is to set your trap on a secure ledge or platform that the
cats can jump up to, but a raccoon, skunk, or opossum can not.
It is important to make sure that the trap is not wobbly and
there is no risk of the cat falling if it thrashes once it is trapped.
If you have trapped wildlife, and are able to safely, release it as
soon as possible. Do not try to relocate it as relocating wildlife
is illegal.
If the wildlife you have trapped seems
very aggressive, and you feel unsafe
releasing it, you can call your local
Animal Control Agency for help.
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Cats can often become too frightened to go near the trap or trapsavvy and have mastered the art of removing food without
triggering the trap. Don’t be discouraged! Here are some tips to
try to catch those trap-savvy cats.
Have a contact ahead of time to whom you will be bringing
the cat once it has ben trapped.
You can work with a veterinarian or spay and neuter clinic
that has feral cat experience. For a complete list of resources for
feral cats– please see page 14 in this guide.
You can also work with the Placer SPCA to make
appointments for their Public Feral Clinic. For more information on
how to make an appointment see page 15 or contact us at:
Get the cats used to eating out of the trap: Use zip
ties or wire to keep the trap door open. Feed the cats
out of the trap for several feedings with the door wired
open. When the cats have gotten used to the trap, set
the trap as normal.
916-782-7722, x 112
530.885.7387, x 112
snap@placerspca.org.

Consider changing bait. Cats often prefer smelly
bait such as sardines, salmon, mackerel, catnip, or
jarred baby food (not containing onions).

Use distraction techniques to help coax the cat
onto the trigger plate: You may be able to guide
some cats into a trap with a laser pointer. You can
use a pointer from quite a distance away. Another
distraction technique is to hang a piece of cooked
chicken from a string above the trigger plate. The cat
will likely need to step on the trigger to reach the
chicken.
Pick the day you will trap, and make your spay and neuter
appointment. You should schedule appointments as close to the
day of trapping as possible. Preferably, you will want to trap the
day before or the morning of your appointment.


Place the trap in a more secluded location or
camouflage the trap: Moving the trap to a quieter or
more protected location can raise the cat’s comfort
level enough to enter. Camouflaging the trap by
covering it with a dark cloth or towel can also do the
trick. Make sure any coverings do not interfere with
the trap door closing.

Withhold food for up to two days: For a particularly
trap-savvy cat, you might consider withholding food
for up to two days, but do not withhold food any
longer. Never withhold water.
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Spay and Neuter Appointments
To make an appointment with the Placer SPCA Public Feral
Clinic, contact us at:
916-782-7722, x 112
530.885.7387, x 112
snap@placerspca.org.
Now you are ready to start trapping.
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Once a Cat is Trapped:
Cover the traps with trap covers.
Set up and Prepare for Trapping
Do all of your set up and preparation away from the
colony site– remember, the cats may be fearful of people.
Trapping will go more smoothly if you don’t disrupt the cats
feeding area.
Do not be alarmed if the cat thrashes around in the trap once it
has shut. Covering the traps with a towel or sheet will help calm
them down. Do not try to touch the cat while it is in the trap.
Twenty-four hours before trapping, withhold food, but
continue to provide water. This will ensure the cats are hungry
enough to go into the traps.
Make sure you are trapping at the time you have
established during your feeding pattern.
On the day of trapping, prepare all of the traps:

Line trap bottoms with newspaper and tape or
clothespin it down if its windy.

Bait traps. Place about one
tablespoon of bait at the very
back of the trap so that the cat
will step onto the trigger plate
while attempting to reach the food. You may choose
to put the food on a plastic lid or paper plate. You
can also drizzle some juice from the bait along the
trap floor towards the entrance.


Place traps on level ground. The cats will not enter
an unstable or wobbly trap. Ensure the metal traps
do not sit on a particularly hot or cold pavement
where temperatures could make the metal painful to
the cats’ paws when they touch it.
Set the trap and move away from the area.
Tip: Keep an eye on the trap at all times for the safety of the
cat and to make sure your equipment is not taken or tampered
with. You will need to observe from a location far enough away
that the cats will not be disturbed, but close enough so you can
still see all your traps.
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If you are trapping multiple cats at one time, you will need to use
your best judgment about removing each cat as they are trapped,
since the other cats might be scared off. If a trapped cat is
thrashing and scaring the other cats away, it might be best to
cover that cat and remove them from the area as quickly and
quietly as possible.
If you are trapping in cold or rainy weather, cats should be
covered and moved to a warm location (such as your car) as
soon as they are
trapped.
Count your traps
again before leaving
the area to ensure
you don’t leave any
traps behind. Make
sure to pick up any
trash (i.e. food cans,
paper plates, etc.).
Transport the cats to the shelter or spay and neuter clinic that
you have an appointment with at the appropriate time.
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