WHAT IS TRAP-NEUTER-VACCINATE-RETURN?

Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) is a program in which outdoor cats are humanely trapped, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and then returned to their outdoor homes. TNVR has been shown to be the most efficient and humane way of stabilizing the population of outdoor cats.

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TNVR benefits the cats and the community.  Using this technique, community/feral cats living outside are trapped, neutered, left ear-tipped (the universal symbol of a sterilized cat), vaccinated against rabies, distemper, and other core viruses, and microchipped, and returned to their outdoor home.  TNVR stops the Cycle! TNVR surgeries are FREE for all zip codes in Palm Beach County in 2023. The fee for TNVR of cats coming in from other counties is $75.00 per cat.

Why does TNVR work?

Palm Beach County Ordinance 98-22 allows trap-neuter-vaccinate-return and outlines requirements for these cats. They must be spayed/neutered, vaccinated against rabies, microchipped, and ear-tipped (to indicate that they have been sterilized).

Community cats cannot be relocated,  they will travel miles to return to their homes and often become victims of car accidents and other trauma. If you begin to trap and remove the cats, other cats will move into the territory and will fill the space left behind by the removed cats.  This is called the “Vacuum Effect.” The new cats integrate into the area and produce more kittens. This leads to renewed calls for trapping and removal and the cycle continues to repeat.

Whether you love or loathe community cats, TNVR is the answer to effectively reducing their numbers.  TNVR reduces most cat-related nuisances and is a benefit to public health and safety.  By helping community cats in need, you will be part of the solution to the overpopulation crisis. You will also lessen the burden on overcrowded shelters and rescue groups. 

Advantages of TNVR (and why we recommend it)

  • It immediately stabilizes the size of the colony by eliminating new litters!

  • Nuisance behaviors are dramatically reduced, including yowling, fighting, and marking of territories with urine.

  • The returned cat prevents new intact cats from moving in and beginning the cycle of overpopulation.

  • It reduces the number of kittens and cats flowing into local shelters. This results in lower euthanasia rates and increased adoption of cats already in animal shelters.

Getting Started with TNVR

 

How to Trap a Cat for TNVR

Video Tutorial: How to Trap a Cat for TNVR
Video: TNVR FAQs

Video: TNVR FAQs

 

Peggy Adams Offers Free Cat Trap Loanscat trap

Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League offers residents of Palm Beach County free trap loans for the purpose of TNVR. 

NOTE: Palm Beach County Ordinance 98-22 forbids trapping cats for any other reason than for TNVR or vet care.

  • Each trap requires a fully refundable deposit of $95.00 on a credit card.
  • The loan period for this trap is 14 days and it must be returned clean and in good working order for the deposit of $95.00 to be refunded.
  • The trapped cat must be protected from the elements and covered with a towel.
  • Peggy Adams does not accept cats in traps for any other purpose but TNVR services.

TNVR Appointment Process

Peggy Adams provides TNVR surgery for community cats on Monday - Friday (except on major holidays). 

Please note, TNVR Appointments open at 1 pm five (5) days before the desired date. If no appointments are available, we accept up to 2 cats as standbys at 8:15 am based on overall availability. 

  • Booking the Appointment
    • Follow the link below to the Appointment Calendar (appointments accepted online only).
    • Choose an open date and book your appointment.
    • If you were not able to trap the cat(s), please cancel your appointment so it is available for someone else.
    • All cats brought for TNVR services MUST be in a covered humane trap, NOT a carrier.
  • Day of Appointment
    • Please arrive by 8:15am so your appointment is not given away to a "Standby" client.
    • Please do not arrive prior to 7:30am and do not unload cats until our staff directs you to.
    • Check-In may take 30 to 45 minutes, please be prepared to wait.
    • The TNVR Responsibility Agreement must be filled out for each cat you are bringing. Doing this prior to check-in will make the process go faster.
  • Picking-Up the Cat(s) 
    • Cats need to be picked up the following day between 7:30 am and 9:00 am.

Thank you for helping to stabilize outdoor cat populations through TNVR!

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Resources 
Support our TNVR Program

We are very grateful to our individual supporters, Palm Beach County, and a private foundation for underwriting the cost of TNVR to spay/neuter, vaccinate, and microchip all free-roaming cats in the county! 

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