Trap-Neuter-Return is the most humane and effective method for managing the feral or stray cat population. Once humanely trapped by community volunteers and brought to a veterinary clinic or shelter, cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies where appropriate, and ear tipped for identification. After surgical recovery, the cats are returned to their original territory. When foster or permanent homes are available, young kittens and friendly adults are removed and placed for adoption. This approach has the potential to greatly reduce the size of the free-roaming cat population over time, reduce nuisance behavior, and improve the overall health of the animals, while continuing the positive effects of a healthy community cat population, such as rodent control.
Thank you for joining the community of individuals and groups who work to control the free-roaming cat population and improve their lives through TNR. Your support of our TNR voucher program ensures that these volunteers will always have access to free spay / neuter / vaccinations for the cats they trap.
Our voucher provides a discount of $32 toward spay or neuter, vaccination, and eartipping (for identification). No other services are included, and the clinic’s price may exceed this amount, resulting in an out-of-pocket cost to the trapper, volunteer, or property owner.
In general, most clinics require that any cat brought in for TNR arrives in a humane trap, as opposed to a regular cat carrier. If you’re able to easily handle, pick up, pet, and hold your cat, you may want to consider using a regular voucher. Policies vary, so please speak with your preferred clinic before arrival.
At this time, the care of community cats residing in Lexington County is contractually managed by Pawmetto Lifeline. Please see their website for more information on their Community Cat program. Our TNR vouchers may only be applied toward cats residing in Richland County.
Generally, there are two options for handling TNR for colonies located inside Richland County:
Hire a local trapper or rescue group to conduct the TNR for you. They typically charge between $20-$50 per cat for their services, plus any additional clinic fees not covered by our voucher for the cost of the surgery, vaccinations, and eartipping. If you would like to be connected to our network of local trappers and make a request for assistance, please email with details about your colony and needs.
Learn how to do the TNR work yourself—it’s not as hard as you think, but there are a few things you need to know. We have lots of helpful resources we can share that will walk you though the process. The cost of the surgery will still be covered though our voucher program. We can even help arrange for you to borrow traps, or show you where to purchase your own. Best of all, once you’ve learned all the skills required for TNR, you can help teach others how to do it too!
If the cat or colony you’re attempting to TNR is located outside of Richland County, we can still assist you with contacting trappers who work in your area, however our voucher program will not be able to cover the surgery at this time, and additional costs may apply.
Pawmetto Lifeline - One cat per person per day; appointment needed for two or more. Voucher will cover $32 of their $50 charge per cat for Richland County cats (special assistance may be available for Lexington County cats; inquire at communitycat@pawmettolifeline.org).
Humane Society – Appointment required. Voucher will cover $32 of their $50 charge per cat for Richland County cats. (Special assistance may be available for cats located in other counties; inquire at info@humanesc.org).
Other vets and clinics – please contact them directly for their policies and rates. Voucher will cover $32 of their charge.
No, and that can actually make the issue worse. Catch and kill/relocate approaches often create a ‘vacuum effect’ allowing new cats to move into the area to take advantage of the newly available resources. Breeding can increase, and the colony will grow, creating an endless cycle of trapping and killing/relocating. The more humane alternative of TNR allows the cats to live out their lives, and over time the colony will decline and disappear naturally.
Traps are available at Tractor Supply, Harbor Freight, and Amazon.
Doing Right By Community Cats (Best Friends Animal Society)
“Cat lovers want to do the right thing when they see an outdoor kitty. Knowing what the right thing is, however, can be challenging. Should they trap the cat for spay/neuter? Knock on doors in the neighborhood and post flyers to see if he belongs to someone? Or just assume he’s someone’s cat and leave him be?...”
How You Can Help Community Cats: A Step By Step Guide to TNR (Alley Cat Allies)
“This guide teaches you how to help cats effectively and humanely. You’ve come to the right place. Alley Cat Allies is the global engine of change for cats.…”
Together, we're working to address the root cause of pet overpopulation and neglect.
