TNR Trap-Neuter-Return :: Resources & Programs In Southern California

TNR stands for Trap Neuter and Return and is the crucial process for preventing free roaming community cats from mating and reproducing more kittens. The reason why this should be prevented from happening is because there is a huge cat overpopulation problem currently going on in the United States. Unfixed cats are reproducing out on the streets without any home, and being sent to animal shelters where if they don’t get adopted or are considered unadoptable they get killed.  In TNR the community stray or feral cat is trapped using a humane trap. After the cat is trapped they are brought to a qualified vet in an animal practice or spay and neuter clinic where the cat is fixed and vaccinated. Community cats are usually given an ear tip on their left ear which is a universal sign of a neutered feral or stray cat. Once the cat is recovered they are returned to their community and released.

Shelter Animals Count (SAC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to tracking national animal shelter data and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reported that over 273,000+ cats died in animal shelters across the US in 2024. Healthy cats and kittens are euthanized for space in shelters every day because they are not getting adopted by anyone. This is one reason why TNR is very important, and needs to be done by more people that are willing to learn about it, and take the correct action to help stop this problem around their area. If you have feral or stray community cats in your area that are unfixed and need to be spayed or neutered, you can take action and Trap, Neuter, and Return them to their community. There are some very good TNR programs and resources in various counties that offer free or affordable spay and neuter services to community cats and kittens local to Southern California! For a list of TNR resources in Southern California please click the link above or click here.