What is TNR?
Trap
Free-roaming, primarily feral, cats are humanely trapped. This process is preformed by those requesting participation in the TNR Program or volunteers assisting those who qualify for “trapping assistance”. The traps used are 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 is a Feral Cat?
Feral cats are domestic cats that have not been socialized to people. When left to themselves, they continue to reproduce kittens that are only socialized to other cats and are afraid of people. In recent years many tame cats have been abandoned and have joined colonies of feral cats. As a result, ADLA’s TNR program assists “feral cats” and other street cats, even semi-tame cats that were once cared for by a person/family, but who now live in a cat colony.
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.
To sign up for Spay Neuter Hotline's TNR Program please call 602-265-7729 (SPAY) or email: feralcats@adlaz.org
Questions? Check out the TNR Referral FAQ page
Need cat colony management tips? Click here.
Thank you for helping stabilize the free-roaming cat population!
Spay Neuter Hotline: Making Every Dollar Count!
Ever wonder why Spay Neuter Hotline requests a $25/cat donation for Trap Neuter Return (TNR)? Although the vets we work with offer us a generous discount, we still have to pay for every surgery performed. When we have funding available from a 3rd party we can provide our services for free. However ordinarily we are charged for each surgery performed and quite often the $25 donation doesn't cover our expense.
Let's Hear it for First Time Trappers!
The Spay Neuter Hotline's Sunday TNR clinic was amazing once again. 87 cats were brought to the clinic. So many people pitch in to get the cats there, it's hard to single out one group. However, I was struck by the wonderful first time trappers. Four first time trappers brought 19 cats- including a mother and son, husband and wife, strong solo trapper and neighbors. By the way the neighbors topped the success rate with nine cats. Thanks to all!
Save the Date: Cat TNR 101 on March 23
Too Many Cats? We Can Fix That!
To learn more about trap neuter return and how to get started, please join us at this event on March 23!
Click here for more information
Cat TNR and Colony Management Seminar
Too Many Cats? We Can Fix That!
To learn more about trap neuter return and how to get started, please join us at this event on March 23rd!
Speakers:
Spay Neuter Hotline Urges People to Fix Cats Now!
Every spring thousands of homeless kittens come into animal shelters in Maricopa County. Most do not get out alive. Before temperatures rise and cats go into heat, 
the Spay Neuter Hotline is asking people to stop procrastinating, and get companion cats fixed, and also take advantage of ADLA's Trap Neuter Return program to sterilize stray and free-roaming cats in Valley neighborhoods. Few cats are in heat in January, but the number begins to increase in February.
Welcome to the Spay Neuter Clinic- Cactus
The Spay Neuter Hotline is happy to welcome its newest clinic providing surgeries for Trap Neuter Return through the Spay Neuter Hotline. Dr. Lisa Levin and her staff at the clinic started in December, even making slots available on New Year's Eve. To schedule an appointment at any particpating clinic call 602 265-7729 or email feralcats@adlaz.org.
Pam's TNR Blog - September 2012
It's been a hot summer! Despite the heat, I managed to TNR 800 cats since May. The largest colony exceeded 50 cats and the smallest was just one cat. The coolers ran all summer in the garage often housing up to 30 or more cats overnight. The difficult part about summer as cats have to be housed somewhere cool after they are trapped.
ADLA's 25th Anniversary Celebration
Join Animal Defense League of Arizona on December 8th to Celebrate the 
Holidays and our 25th Anniversary! There will be lots of food, drinks, a silent auction, and perhaps a chance to meet ADLA's Spokescat, Mrs. Beasley!
ADLA maintains an extensive database of low-cost spay/neuter clinics around Arizona. 
