Snake River Animal Shelter provides TNR services to any individual who is committed to the process and ready to save lives and stop unwanted litters.
The only effective, humane method of controlling the feral and community cat population is called Trap, Neuter, and Return (TNR). The process begins with identifying cats, who typically live together in a group (“colony”), are trapped by an individual(s) and brought to Snake River Animal Shelter (SRAS) on certain days of the week or by appointment. SRAS’s in-house veterinarian will then complete a spay/neuter, Rabies vaccination, and ear tip. After this is complete, the individual who trapped the cat(s) will then pick up the cat, follow the post-operation procedure and return the cat to where it was found to ensure a consistent food source. When foster or permanent homes are available, young kittens (6 months or younger) and friendly adults are selected from TNR intakes and placed in the shelter for adoption.
The City of Idaho Falls and Bonneville County do not pick up friendly, single community cats and it’s not illegal for them to roam. If a roaming cat is impacting your property, there are several humane ways to dissuade them. See here.
To participate in our TNR program, please choose the process below based upon your residential address.
Residents of the City of Ammon and Unincorporated Bonneville County:
- Book your TNR appointment at our site. It’s $10 per cat. Make sure to time the appointment so that the cat(s) isn’t in the trap more than a few hours.
- You can rent a trap for a fully refundable $100 cash deposit. The rental period is three days.
- Provide a photo ID with a current unincorporate Bonneville County or City of Ammon address. We verify this through the Ammon Shelter Directory which indicates which shelter each address in our County receives services from.
- Follow the TNR process as described below.
All Other Residents:
- Book your TNR appointment at our site. It’s $50 per cat. Make sure to time the appointment so that the cat(s) isn’t in the trap more than 12 hours.
- You can rent a trap for a fully refundable $100 cash deposit. The rental period is three days.
- Follow the TNR process as described below.
- If you’re trapping a large colony, we will offer you a discount if you trap several at once. Please contact us for details.
PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT
- Please remove all food or water at 10 p.m. the night before surgery. If animal does not fast, they may vomit during their surgery which could lead to serious complications including infection and death.
- Each cat must arrive in it’s own live humane trap. Patient care is our #1 priority. Feral cats who arrive in a regular pet carrier, crate or box, will need rescheduled. This requirement is for the safety of the cat, and our vet staff. Unsocialized cats present unique challenges and must be handled in a special way and injected with pre-surgery medication using special tools that are designed for human traps.
- Additionally, in order for feral cats to properly recover from surgery they will need to remain in the trap, alone to prevent opening of the surgical incision site and further complications.
INTAKE PROCEDURES
- Please arrive between 8 and 8:30 AM sharp for intake on the date you’re given.
- Please do not confine the cat to a trap without food or water for more than 12 hours.
- At that time, a technician will accept your properly live humanely trapped feral cat(s) to escort them to the back for their intake exam.
- Additionally, the attendant will confirm the services you have selected, answer any questions, and remind you of our discharge instructions.
- Once your feral cat(s) have been processed, you are free to go.
- Should questions or concerns arise on our end, we will also contact you through the phone number and email provided on your intake paperwork.
- All payments are to be paid by cash, credit or debit cards at drop-off.
DISCHARGE & AFTERCARE PROCEDURES
- All feral cats are discharged in the afternoon by 4 p.m. unless otherwise communicated.
- Follow the post-surgery instructions provided at discharge until time to release the cat.
- The cat should not be confined in the trap for more than 24 hours after surgery.
- If more time is needed, we suggest that you set-up a large wire cage that includes a litterbox.
- Offer only small amounts of food and water after the cat is fully awake, but not before.
RETURN THE CAT(S) TO THE COLONY
- It is essential for its survival that the cat is returned to the location it was trapped.
- Feral cats live in colonies where they are established and have a consistent food source.
- It is not advisable to relocate cats at any time.
TO APPLY TO SPAY/NEUTER A TNR CAT, PLEASE CLICK HERE AND WE WILL CONTACT YOU AFTER WE RECEIVE YOUR REQUEST.