.Trap Neuter Return
HSBC funds provide TNR service, in partnership with All About Animals Rescue, twice per month in our community.
In 2014, HSBC started our Trap-Neuter-Return program, commonly referred to as TNR. TNR is the only method proven to be humane and effective for controlling the community cat population.
With TNR, cats are humanely trapped, examined by a veterinarian, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and permanently identified by a harmless ear notch located on the left ear. Cats are then returned to their colony and human caregivers. HSBC does not remove or relocate feral/community cats.
TNR has many advantages. TNR:
- Stabilizes the size of the colony by preventing new litters.
- Reduces nuisance behavior such as yowling and fighting associated with mating activity and the odor of unneutered males marking their territory.
- Allows cats to continue to provide natural rodent control.
- Reduces euthanasia rates by lessening the number of kittens and cats flowing into local shelters.
TNR is not just the best alternative to managing feral cat populations – it is the only one that works. Trying to “rescue” or relocate feral cats is unattainable given their numbers and the futility of trying to socialize most of them.
What You Should Know!
- TNR is offered March through October.
- You must be willing to assist in the trapping of these community cats.
- Please be aware that you could be placed on a waitlist as we address the most critical cases first and have limited space with each transport.
- We do not take TNR cats into our foster program. TNR cats are community cats that are trapped, spayed/neutered, given vaccines, and released back into the community where they were trapped.
- Cats are required to be in a live animal trap. These traps are available on loan through HSBC by request. All loaned traps require a form fill, as well as a credit card number or post dated check to be held in the event the trap(s) is not returned.
- Please keep an eye on spam folders for replies to TNR requests!
Any questions or inquiries about the Humane Society of Bay County’s TNR program can be directed to catprogram@humanesocietybc.org