What is TNR?
TNR stands for Trap, Neuter, Return. It refers to the practice of trapping stray and outdoor cats, including feral cats, for the purpose of spaying or neutering them, giving them vaccinations (rabies and distemper, usually), and returning them either to where they were trapped, or to a colony where they can be managed and monitored.
TNR is meant to be a method of population control that is a humane alternative to the traditional model of trap and kill. Feral cats, semi-ferals, and many community cats do not stand a chance in most shelters (including BCAS), and are euthanized simply for being deemed unadoptable. However, these cats were never meant to be kept indoors as housepets. The majority of ferals and community cats are surviving and thriving outside just fine on their own, and we believe they should be allowed to remain that way.
The two handouts below from People for Animals contain helpful information:
Would you like to support TNR but don’t have any cats to trap? The Friends of BCAS can always use donations of cat traps. See our wishlist on the Tomahawk page.
I Need Help Trapping Cats in Burlington County
If you feed them, you must fix them! The Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter can help. To make an appointment to get a community cat(s) fixed and vaccinated, send an email to [email protected] or call (856) 533-0464 with the following information:
- your name, address, phone number, and email address
- approximate number of community cats requiring TNR
We rely on caregivers to trap, as able. Friends of BCAS has traps you can borrow for up to two weeks on a first-come, first-served basis. Please fill out our cat trap agreement and email it to [email protected]. Your full deposit will be refunded when the trap is returned.
Need our help with TNR? We receive more requests for assistance than we can accommodate. An experienced volunteer may be able to assist you but you will be responsible for helping to trap. We do not relocate cats. We require a contribution towards that animal’s medical cost of $50 per cat. If you make less than $70,000 the contribution is $30 per cat.
We also accept TNR contributions through Paypal and Venmo.
To trap community cats, here are the traps and dividers we recommend:
- Safeguard with rear door trap
- Safeguard Trap Divider Fork
- Safeguard Trap Cover
- Tomahawk Cat Trap — we suggest the powder coat finish for an extra 15 percent
- Tomahawk Cat Trap Cover
- Tomahawk Divider Fork
- Tomahawk Clear Sliding Rear Door
- Havahart Cat Trap Kit
I Want My Township to Support TNR
Wonderful! This is exactly what we need; people like you to speak up and make some noise about the welfare of your community cats. The short version of how to get started is that you need to address this with your township. Each Township in New Jersey sets its own rules as to what is allowed and not allowed in the township, including feeding or caretaking for cats. Collect other like-minded individuals in your area, put a plan together, and start making calls to your township to find out how best to communicate with them, and if they are already aware of any TNR initiatives in place.
Also, check out the links below for more information on TNR, its benefits, and how to address it with municipal governments.
More Information About TNR
- FriendsofBCAS.org – TNR Ordinances in Burlington County – Resource compiled by FOBCAS/BCAS. Lists all townships, ordinances available online, and our ordinance interpretations.
- AlleyCatAllies.org – This is a huge resource for outdoor, feral and community cat supporters.
- MaddiesFund.org – Community Cats
- MaddiesFund.org – Return to Field (Webinar) – Discusses the pros and cons of TNR without the colony management aspect.
- APLNJ.org – Animal Protection League of NJ; TNR Advocates – Offers assistance on the municipal level with advocacy, program building, and more.