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.
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 brought from other counties is $90.00 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)
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It immediately stabilizes the size of the colony by eliminating new litters!
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Nuisance behaviors are dramatically reduced, including yowling, fighting, and marking of territories with urine.
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The returned cat prevents new intact cats from moving in and beginning the cycle of overpopulation.
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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.
Have you heard about our mega TNVR Spay Days?
Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League periodically hosts mega Spay Day events where veterinary professionals from across Florida come together to perform hundreds of TNVR surgeries for Palm Beach County community cats!
Learn more about our Spay Days and register for an upcoming event here.
Getting Started with TNVR