Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)

What is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)?
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a humane and nonlethal method to manage the number of community cats in our neighborhoods. The goal is to humanely trap outdoor cats, take them to a clinic for spay/neuter, vaccinate them against rabies, and return healthy cats to their outdoor homes. While at the clinic, will also be ear-tipped to make them easily identified as already altered & vaccinated. This is a TNR best practice.

What is ear-tipping?
While the cat is under anesthesia for spay/neuter, the veterinarian also removes the tip of the left ear. Ear-tipping is an easily recognized sign that signifies a community cat was already surgically altered and is unable to reproduce. This visual sign helps caretakers and trappers to know at a glance that a cat doesn’t need to go to the clinic for surgery. Please note that while all ear-tipped cats are surgically altered, this does not mean all cats with intact ears are in need of spay/neuter. Some cats seen outside may be owned, and have already been altered.

Do I Need An Appointment for Surgery?
The Humane Society of Charlotte provides TNR surgeries at a reduced rate of $35 per cat. We are offering community cat spay/neuter surgeries by appointment. Click here to schedule your appointment.

Where do I take a community cat for spay/neuter?
All TNR surgeries are performed at the Humane Society of Charlotte Animal Resource Center located at 1348 Parker Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208.

How much do TNR services cost?
A fee of $35 per cat will be collected for Trap-Neuter-Return surgery. The Humane Society of Charlotte considers TNR to be a vital service we offer our community and will continue to offer TNR surgeries at a reduced rate.

How do I Borrow a Humane Cat Trap?

Trap Rentals are available Monday through Wednesday between the hours of 9:30AM-2:30PM. 

Please note, with all the services we provide to the community, we are unable to provide traps outside of these hours.

A Trap Rental Fee of $10 per trap for 14 days will be collected at the time of rental. Rental fees do not offset spay/neuter costs and are non-refundable, but instead allow us to continue and maintain the Trap Bank.

To rent a trap, we will require placing a credit card number on file, however the initial rental fee may be paid with cash if needed.

If the trap is not returned by the agreed-upon date, a trap replacement fee of $80 will be applied to the card on file.

If you have questions about our TNR program, please contact the Spay/Neuter Clinic.

Please download our Trapping Guidelines for instructions on operating our traps.

For more information on Trap-Neuter-Return, please contact the Spay/Neuter Clinic at 704-333-4130 or via email at spayneuter@humanecharlotte.org.