What Is TNR?

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a humane, effective method for managing community cat populations. Instead of removing feral cats (which doesn't work — new cats simply move in), TNR stabilizes colonies by preventing reproduction.

The process is simple:

  1. Trap — Humanely capture community cats using live traps
  2. Neuter — Spay or neuter the cat, administer rabies and FVRCP vaccinations, and ear-tip for identification
  3. Return — Release the cat back to their colony

Why TNR Works

Traditional approaches to feral cats — trapping and euthanizing — have been tried for decades and have never reduced populations. Here's why TNR succeeds:

  • The vacuum effect — When cats are removed from an area, new cats move in to fill the territory. TNR prevents this.
  • Colony stabilization — A neutered colony holds its territory but doesn't grow
  • Natural decline — Over time, the colony shrinks through natural attrition
  • Endorsed by the AVMA — The American Veterinary Medical Association recognizes TNR as an effective population management tool

TNR at Pets Alive Indiana

We offer a complete TNR package for $60 per cat, which includes:

  • Spay or neuter surgery
  • Rabies and FVRCP vaccinations
  • Ear-tipping for colony identification

How to Schedule

  1. Call us at (812) 349-1349 or schedule online
  2. Tell us it's TNR — we'll set aside appropriate appointment slots
  3. Trap your cats the evening before your appointment
  4. Bring them in at 8:00 AM in the trap (do not transfer to a carrier)
  5. Pick up the same afternoon

Tips for Trapping

  • Use a humane box trap — Havahart or Tomahawk brand traps work well
  • Bait with strong-smelling food — tuna, sardines, or rotisserie chicken work great
  • Set traps in the evening — cats are most active at dusk
  • Cover the trap with a towel after capture to keep the cat calm
  • Withhold food 24 hours before surgery — stop feeding the colony the evening before trapping

Colony Management Best Practices

If you're caring for a community cat colony, here's how to do it well:

Feeding

  • Feed at the same time and place each day
  • Remove uneaten food after 30 minutes to avoid attracting wildlife
  • Use covered feeding stations to protect food from rain

Shelter

  • Provide insulated winter shelters — styrofoam coolers with a hole cut in the side work well
  • Place shelters in quiet, protected areas
  • Line with straw (not blankets) — straw insulates even when wet

Record Keeping

  • Keep a log of cats in the colony — names/descriptions, ear-tip status, health observations
  • Track TNR dates for each cat
  • Note any new arrivals so they can be trapped and fixed promptly

Local Resources in Bloomington

Where to Get Traps

  • Pets Alive Indiana — we can advise on trap sources
  • Monroe County Humane Association — may have loaner traps available
  • Hardware stores — Havahart traps available at most hardware stores

Local Ordinances

Monroe County and the City of Bloomington generally support TNR as a humane population management approach. Community cat caregivers should:

  • Keep feeding areas clean and tidy
  • Work with neighbors to address concerns proactively
  • TNR all cats in the colony as quickly as possible

The Numbers That Matter

  • A single unspayed female cat can produce up to 420,000 offspring in 7 years
  • Bloomington-area shelters see thousands of cats annually
  • TNR programs reduce shelter intake by 30-40% in communities where they're active
  • Pets Alive has performed over 230,000 surgeries since 2005, many of them TNR

Get Started

Ready to TNR your colony? Schedule an appointment or call (812) 349-1349. Our team will walk you through the process.

Every cat you fix prevents hundreds of unwanted kittens. That's real impact. To understand the full case for spaying and neutering — including the community-wide numbers — read our guide on why spay and neuter matters.