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TNR Guide

​So you want to T-N-R?

We commend you for your interest in making a difference in the lives of cats in Midland. Thank you!  

We would love to help and guide you through the process so that you can  successfully trap, neuter, release feral cats in your neighborhood/community.  

Read through the steps below to get a sense of what it takes to TNR.  If you have more questions, feel free to reach out to us! 

It's not their fault that they were born into this world.

Step One: Concerned Citizen
 Most feral cat colonies are found within a community, not off by themselves in the woods. Whether it's a backyard, a parking lot, a factory, a barn or an alley behind an apartment building, the cats have human neighbors. The effectiveness of your TNR project and the long-term security of the cats will depend on the cooperation and understanding of the people who live and work in the area. They need to be educated about your work and have their own concerns heard and taken into account. You can also contact MHC Cat Wranglers for more information, to borrow a trap, or further assistance can be arranged.


Step Two: Make an Appointment
 You can make an appointment with any vet that you would like or we can recommend one for you. There are certain vets that host feral cat surgery days and there are also other low cost options. 


Step Three: Obtain Voucher
 If you live within Midland City limits, you can obtain a $70 voucher towards the cost of the surgery. Bring a copy of your current utility bill and your ID that has a matching address to animal services and request a feral voucher. You may obtain as many vouchers as you plan on needing up to 10. The vouchers are good for 2 weeks so make sure you have your feral surgery appointment scheduled. If you are a Midland county resident, you will need to use a participating vet. Visit the MHC website for more information. 


Step Four: Gather Supplies
 You may borrow a trap from MHC or use one of your own. If you borrow a trap from MHC, a Cat Wrangler will show you how to use it and what additional supplies you will need. Normal supplies include large towels, disposable plates, tuna (any fishy food will do), puppy pads and a tarp to protect your vehicle and garage/spare room flooring. 


Step Five: Setup Trap
 The day before surgery you want to trap the feral cats. They cannot have food/water for at least 8-12 hours before surgery (depending on your vet). Cats are most active in the evening right before the sun goes down so that is generally the best time to setup your traps. Always set your trap in a safe location and on your own property or on someone’s property where you have been given permission to trap. Concrete or a solid surface is the best place to avoid ants and reduce movement of the trap. Bait trap with tuna and cover with a towel, then watch and wait!


Step Six: Move to Holding Space
 Once you have trapped a feral cat, check to make sure it does not already have an ear tip. When a feral cat has already been spayed or neutered, the tip of their ear will be cut off during surgery to identify that it has been sterilized. Some vets will cut a notch into the ear but a clean cut of the tip is the most common method and easier to identify. Then, move the trap to an indoor space such as a garage or spare room. A garage is fine unless it is either very hot or cold outside. You will keep the cat there until you bring them to surgery the following morning. 


Step Seven: Surgery Day
 The morning of surgery, transport the cat to the vet where they will be spayed/neutered, ear tipped and receive a rabies vaccine. For the safety of the veterinary staff, the cats must be sedated before they are examined. Once they are sedated they will be scanned for a microchip and the owner will be notified if they have one. Other extra veterinary care will be provided on an as needed basis. 


Step Eight: Recovery and Return
 After the cat is picked up from surgery, it will need to stay in the trap for a minimum of 24 hours. Even if the cat didn’t need surgery but was sedated, they need to be monitored. You will need to provide them with food and water after surgery based on your vet’s recommendations. You also need to make sure the trap stays clean. Puppy pads are a great resource because you can just swap them out when the cat urinates. Once the cat has been held for 24 hours and looks in good condition, you may release the cat back to the exact same place that it was trapped.

Got more questions? 
Contact TNR@midlandhumane.org for more guidance and assistance on TNR and to reach out to the MHC Cat Wranglers.