Trap-Neuter-Return

What are Feral Cats?

Feral cats are members of the domestic cat species, but are not socialized to humans and are therefore unadoptable. Feral cats choose to reside in locations for two reasons: one, there is a food source—intended or not— and two, there is shelter. Feral cats can lead healthy, natural lives on their own, content to be outdoors.

What is TNR?

Trap-neuter-return (TNR) is a program through which free-roaming cats (not belonging to particular humans) are humanely trapped, sterilized and medically treated, and returned to the outdoor locations where they were found.

TNR is about:

Population control and permanently reducing the number of cats in an area
Lowering cat intake into shelters, thereby lowering shelter euthanasia rates
Reducing the spread of disease
The returned spayed/neutered colony guards its territory, discouraging unneutered cats from moving in and restarting the cycle of overpopulation
Removing the vacuum created by “catch and kill” programs. Catch and kill colonies start regenerating in a short time period. The result is not a permanent solution.

A picture of a tabby cat with the tip of its left ear cut off to indicate that it is a stray that has been spayed or neutered. That ear is circled in orange.

Ear-Tipped Cat

Ear-tipping is the universal sign of an altered feral cat. While the cat is sedated for the spay or neuter surgery, a quarter of an inch is removed from the tip of the left ear in a straight line cut. The procedure is swift and painless and healing is rapid.

The benefits of a TNRed Colony

There are many positive benefits for the cats and the community:

The cats are healthier since they have been vaccinated and altered
The population stops exploding because they are altered
There is an initial reduction in numbers as friendly cats and kittens are removed for adoption
Over time, the number of cats in the area drops
An established colony protects its territory from new cats – the rate of new cats appearing slows dramatically when the colony is managed
All cats are vaccinated against rabies, thus protecting the public’s health and eliminating any concern of feral cats transmitting rabies to humans
Nuisance behavior associated with unaltered cats stops, resulting in less complaints and happier neighbors

How it works

Call us. We provide a trap with instructions.
TNR cats can be trapped Monday-Friday, during daylight hours only. Cats cannot be trapped during inclement weather, in an unprotected area, or when temperatures are over 90 degrees.
It is your responsibility to set and check the traps throughout the day. Once a cat is in the trap, call us; Animal Control will discuss your options.
The cat will be brought to the Shelter or an approved veterinary hospital for spay/neuter surgery and vaccines.
- Friendly cats and kittens are sent to the adoption floor at the Shelter
- Unadoptable cats are ear tipped and returned to an approved colony or to the pick-up location for release

Please note: It is in the best interest of kittens to be brought in WITH their mom. Please trap moms with their babies.

Your Town has TNR. Now What?

If you have a concern about feral cats in your neighborhood, please call Bergen County Animal Control at 201-229-4616 for assistance. We provide TNR to many towns that contract our Animal Control services.

What Do Our Colonies Need?

At BCASAC, we support numerous colonies throughout Bergen County. These colonies range in size from 6-60, and in addition to the TNR programs, we also provide:

Education and support
Traps through Animal Control
Homes for adoptable cats and kittens from the colonies

What if your town doesn’t have a TNR program?

For towns with no existing TNR program, it is best to contact your local Animal Control provider for information and guidance. You can also reach out to your local officials and/or Health Department to start a conversation about creating a program.

How can you help us?

We rely on the generous support of our community to keep our programs running smoothly. On a regular basis, we request donations of the following to support TNR cats:

Dry Cat Food* – large bags, any flavor
Wet Cat Food – small or large cans, any flavor
Large Rubbermaid storage
bins
Mylar blankets
Medium Styrofoam coolers (i.e., Omaha Steaks, etc.)
Straw (not hay)
Open your home as a foster

Donations can be dropped off to the Shelter seven days a week.

*Most in need

Thank you so much for your support of our Shelter Programs.

For More Information Contact:

Bergen County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center
100 United Lane
Teterboro, NJ 07608
www.co.bergen.nj.us/bcas
201-229-4600

COUNTY OF BERGEN

James J. Tedesco III
County Executive
and
The Board of Chosen Freeholders

BERGEN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
Hansel Asmar
Director/Health Officer

Township of Teaneck
818 Teaneck Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666

Phone: (201) 837-1600