**We use the term “community cat” to define feral cats, outdoor cats, cats with multiple owners, etc.**
What is TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return)?
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Trap-Neuter-Return, or "TNR," is the most humane and effective method known for managing community cats and reducing their numbers. The cats, who typically live together in a group called a colony, are trapped and brought to a veterinary clinic. They're then spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies and ear-tipped. After they've recovered from their surgeries, the cats are returned back to their original territory where a caretaker provides regular food and shelter.
Check out this video about how to TNR cats. If you are in need of spay/neuter resources or have a large colony, click the button below. If you are not in a financial position to get the cat's in your care fixed, we do offer sponsored (free) spay/neuter and vaccination spots to Galveston County residents caring for community cats. Click on the button below. |
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I don’t like community cats! I don’t want them around. They scratch my car, poop in my garden, etc. Shouldn’t I take them to the shelter or try to relocate them?
Yikes! We do love community cats, but we understand that when a colony is not properly managed using TNR techniques, that the cat population can get out of hand. When a cat is not fixed, they are more prone to behaviors like fighting, yowling, digging, spraying, etc. We know that these behaviors can be frustrating, overwhelming, and a pain to deal with!
Unfortunately, the “Trap and Kill” method has been used for decades. This is when a cat or multiple cats are trapped from a colony, brought to the shelter, and euthanized. Obviously, this practice just doesn’t work. We have just as many cats roaming now as we did 20 years ago.
When cats are removed from a colony, and a food source still exists, a vacuum effect occurs. Even more cats than before enter the territory, causing an even bigger problem.
Cats are very territorial, so when a cat is spayed/neutered and then returned to the colony, they don’t allow any new cats to enter the territory AND they stop producing more kittens. When a colony is properly TNR’d (meaning all or almost all cats in the colony are fixed), it's common to see a steady decline in the population over time.
Unfortunately, the “Trap and Kill” method has been used for decades. This is when a cat or multiple cats are trapped from a colony, brought to the shelter, and euthanized. Obviously, this practice just doesn’t work. We have just as many cats roaming now as we did 20 years ago.
When cats are removed from a colony, and a food source still exists, a vacuum effect occurs. Even more cats than before enter the territory, causing an even bigger problem.
Cats are very territorial, so when a cat is spayed/neutered and then returned to the colony, they don’t allow any new cats to enter the territory AND they stop producing more kittens. When a colony is properly TNR’d (meaning all or almost all cats in the colony are fixed), it's common to see a steady decline in the population over time.
In the meantime, there are ways you can keep cats off your property. Check out this How to Live With Community Cats resource for tips on keeping cats out of your trash, garden, off your car and more.
Wouldn’t the cats have a better chance at a better life in the shelter?
In 2019 over 1500 cats died in Galveston County shelters. Many of them were community cats (outdoor cats, cats with more than one owner) who really did not need to be brought to a shelter.
Community cats tend to behave poorly when they are kenneled in shelter settings. For this reason, they are “unadoptable,” and are euthanized. Shelters also have limited space, so when they run out of space (which they often do!) community cats and cats with behavioral issues are often the first to be euthanized.
For this reason, it’s generally in the cat’s best interest to keep them outside of the shelter. This also helps the shelter save space for cats that really need their help!
If you are caring for a particularly friendly cat, we recommend having them fixed and then networking them on your own (through social media, word of mouth, etc.) to friends and family. You can also use resources like rehome.adoptapet.com to try to find the cat a home. Visit our Rehoming an Animal page for more information and tips.
Community cats tend to behave poorly when they are kenneled in shelter settings. For this reason, they are “unadoptable,” and are euthanized. Shelters also have limited space, so when they run out of space (which they often do!) community cats and cats with behavioral issues are often the first to be euthanized.
For this reason, it’s generally in the cat’s best interest to keep them outside of the shelter. This also helps the shelter save space for cats that really need their help!
If you are caring for a particularly friendly cat, we recommend having them fixed and then networking them on your own (through social media, word of mouth, etc.) to friends and family. You can also use resources like rehome.adoptapet.com to try to find the cat a home. Visit our Rehoming an Animal page for more information and tips.
Can you help me relocate cats?
Lifeline of Galveston County is unable to relocate cats. Please read the information above about the risk of relocating cats. If you must relocate cats, we recommend using the List of Community Cat Spay/Neuter Resources to get the cats fixed and then reaching out to locations or people with a lot of land who might be interested in having outdoor cats.
Please note that cats should be confined at their new location for at least 2 weeks (but preferably closer to a month) to ensure they will stay around. You can learn more about how to safely relocate cats by reading this guide.
Please note that cats should be confined at their new location for at least 2 weeks (but preferably closer to a month) to ensure they will stay around. You can learn more about how to safely relocate cats by reading this guide.