Trap Neuter Return (“TNR”)
The Spay Neuter Hotline offers the only viable solution to the exponential reproduction of cats on the streets of Maricopa County. Spaying about 15,000 cats per year and over 100, 000 cats since 2009, Spay Neuter Hotline TNR services bring together an amazing group of ADLA staff, volunteers and veterinarians who help neighborhoods stop the birth of homeless kittens by trapping and sterilizing cats and returning them to live-out their lives in the colonies where they were trapped
Spay Neuter Hotline
Call 602-265-7729 (SPAY)
Email outdoorcats@adlaz.org
The Spay Neuter Hotline provides makes appointments for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) surgeries for outdoor cats at a number of veterinary clinics in Maricopa County. Make an appointment before you trap!
Cats are humanely trapped, spayed and neutered, ear-tipped and returned. TNR is the most humane and effective method for stabilizing outdoor cat populations. For information or assistance please call the Hotline at: 602-265-7729 (SPAY) or email: outdoorcats@adlaz.org
What is TNR?
Trap
Outdoor cats are humanely trapped. Most caregivers trap cats, transport them to the clinic on the day of their appointment and aftercare the cats themselves. However, volunteers may assist those who are physically unable to trap, who don’t have a vehicle or have too many cats to fit in their car. ADLA uses humane, “TruCatch” box traps.
Neuter
The cats are spayed or neutered by a veterinarian. This involves an ovo-hysterectomy for female cats- surgical removal of ovaries and the uterus and castration- removal of the testicles for male cats. These surgeries are sometimes called “fixing” your cat.
The left ear is “tipped” to identify the cat as fixed. This procedure is performed while the cat is under anesthesia at the veterinary clinic. This is a universal identifier of a sterilized homeless/street/feral cat.
Return
The cats
are returned to their original colonies’ location where caregivers may continue to provide food and water
What are the benefits of TNR?
– Ends the breeding cycle and stabilizes the population
– More effective and less expensive than extermination
– Eliminates or minimizes annoying behaviors such as spraying, yowling, and fighting.
– Helps end the suffering of unwanted, homeless cats.
-Reduces euthanasia due to the number of kittens flooding the already overburdened shelters.
For more information or to make an apppointment, please contact the Spay Neuter Hotline’s at 602-265-7729 (SPAY) outdoorcats@adlaz.org. [IFORM??]
Questions? Check out the TNR Referral FAQ page
Need cat colony management tips? Visit the Foundation for Homeless Cats.
Thank you for helping stabilize the free-roaming cat population!