Community Cats & TNR
Community cats are unowned cats who live outdoors. These cats generally fall into two categories: stray cats and feral cats. While the terms are often used interchangeably, they describe very different experiences with people.
Stray cats are cats who were previously socialized to humans but are now living outside without regular interaction. With time, patience, and the right environment, many stray cats can reintegrate into a home and live successfully with people again.
Feral cats are cats who have not been socialized to people. They are fearful of close human contact and do not view people as a source of comfort or safety. Even when they accept food from a caregiver, feral cats are generally not suited for indoor living. Attempts to force socialization on truly feral adult cats are rarely successful and can cause significant stress that negatively impacts their well-being.
Because of this, feral cats are best cared for through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and allowed to remain in their existing outdoor colony, where they are familiar with their environment and social structure. TNR improves their health, prevents future litters, and supports long-term stability for both the cats and the community.
Simply Cats does not directly conduct Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) or provide trapping or transport services. We support community cat efforts by offering education, resources, and trap loans to help caregivers successfully complete TNR on their own.
- What is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)?
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the most effective and humane approach for managing community cat populations. It focuses on improving the cats’ health while preventing future litters.
• Trap: Cats are trapped in a humane trap.
• Neuter: Cats are spayed or neutered and vaccinated by a veterinary clinic. Cats are ear-tipped at the time of surgery as a standard, humane way to identify community cats who have been spayed or neutered.
• Return: After recovery, cats are returned to their original outdoor location.
TNR benefits the community by reducing fighting, spraying, and loud mating behaviors, leading to fewer complaints and a more harmonious coexistence between cats and humans. Over time, TNR stabilizes colonies and prevents the cycle of new kittens being born outdoors.
- How to TNR
Successful and humane Trap-Neuter-Return requires planning ahead. Before trapping a community cat, please make sure you are prepared and have reviewed proper trapping guidance.
For detailed, step-by-step instructions, including trap setup, recovery guidance, and special situations such as kittens or nursing mothers, please review our full TNR Guide.- Local Community Cat Resources
There are local organizations and volunteer groups that focus on helping community cats. These groups can often provide guidance, education, help locating spay/neuter appointments, and loan traps or supplies.
It’s important to know that these organizations are volunteer-run. Between full-time jobs, families, and existing commitments, many are overwhelmed with requests and are not often able to provide hands-on trapping or transportation.
In most cases, caregivers — like you — are responsible for trapping and transport. We recommend sharing time, costs, or transportation with neighbors, local businesses, or other community members to make the process more manageable.
The good news is that anyone can help with Trap-Neuter-Return. You do not need special training, a perfect setup, or prior experience. With preparation and the right information, TNR is accessible to first-time caregivers. Our TNR Guide is designed to walk you through the process step by step.
Download the Simply Cats TNR Guide (PDF)
Operation Community Cats (Treasure Valley)
Eagle Community Cats (Eagle)
Garden City Community Cats Project (Garden City)
Lost Paws (Mountain Home)
Ontario Feral Cat Project (Ontario, OR)- Borrow a Humane Trap
Simply Cats offers humane trap loans to support both community cat caregivers and people working to safely recover lost pet cats.