List of governments supporting trap&ndash;neuter&ndash;return

List of governments supporting trap–neuter–return

Governments with laws and/or policies supporting trap-neuter-return for community cats (free-roaming cats not belonging to individuals, including feral cats), are listed below. References are provided for each government body named, with start dates if they are known. The list is not expected to be complete, and may change over time.
Canada
British Columbia
*Delta - The city animal services agency, the Delta Community Animal Shelter, states that it promotes humane treatment of animals in part "by practicing our Trap-Neuter/Spay-Return program for feral cats". In 2014, shelter manager Sarah Jones advised the public that she "would like residents to call if they see feral cats in their neighbourhood. The shelter's Trap, Sterilize and Release program will humanely trap the cats, spay or neuter, tag, vaccinate and then make them available for adoption. Adult cats that are not tame are released back into the area they were living or placed in barns as mousers". Delta is considered a no kill community, where no healthy or treatable animals are put to death.
*Langley City and Langley Township (since 2003) - The local animal services agency, Langley Animal Protection Society, "advocates “Trap, Neuter, Release” programs when dealing with feral cat colonies" and offers 240 cat spay and neuter certificates each year". LAPS is a no-kill shelter which took over animal control for the area in 2003.
*Maple Ridge - In Nov. 2012, the District of Maple Ridge committed $35,000 for three years to help with cat spay/neuter costs; the need for a TNR plan was discussed.
*New Westminster - The city animal services department cooperates with rescue agencies and does not put feral cats at risk. Save rates for cats in 2013 were 96%. New Westminster is considered a no kill community.
*Richmond (since 2007) - The local animal services agency, Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS), was originally a TNR organization when it was founded in 1989 as Richmond Homeless Cats. It continues TNR for the city since taking on the city contract in 2007, and operates a large cat sanctuary that supports its TNR efforts. RAPS is a no kill organization. The coalition, which will use TNR, was formed in time for National Feral Cat Day. Since opening in 1998, the humane society reports a save rate of over 90% of animal in its care, and euthanizes only as a last resort for humane or public safety reasons. Norman, one of the first cats trapped in 1998, died in 2014 after serving many years as the shelter cat.
*Edmonton (trial in 2012) - Little Cats Lost Society worked with the city on a TNR pilot project in 2012, as an alternative to the city's approach of lending traps and euthanizing feral cats. The city discussed the pilot results and asked for feedback.
Ontario
*Dryden - The city animal services agency, Second Chance Pet Network, describes ongoing TNR of 8 colonies on its website. The agency partnered with a local school to build winter shelters for feral cats. Second Chance Pet Network is a no kill organization.
*Innisfil (pilot project in 2014) - "The town's animal control officer, Sherri Hall, estimated that by early June, about 50% to 60% of the feral, wild-breeding cats living in three colonies in Innisfil had been trapped, neutered or spayed, before being released back into the wild or adopted out." The town was looking for Barn Buddies for feral cats needing relocation, and foster homes for the many kittens taken in.
*Kingston - "The City and Spay Neuter Kingston Initiative are partnering on a Trap/Neuter/Vaccinate/Return program aimed at reducing Kingston's feral cat population."
*Lanark County (since 2011) - The local animal services agency, Lanark Animal Welfare Society, includes TNR in its services as a no kill facility. The organization was established in 1980, and took on animal control contracts for the county in 2011.
*London - The city states that a "Trap Neuter Return (TNR) program has been developed to assist neighbourhoods within the geographic boundaries of the City of London cope with the increasing number of feral cats."
*Markham (limited support) - The city participated in a TNR project involving one colony in March 2014. Outcomes at the city shelter, the Newmarket branch of the Ontario SPCA, were still quite negative for cats from January to August 2014, with 50% euthanized.
*Prince Edward County (since 1999) - This island community's no kill shelter, the Loyalist Humane Society, installed a new patio for its feral residents in 2014. The shelter has been in operation since 1999.
*St. Thomas - The city's animal service agency, City Animal Services, advises residents: "If you see a cat outside with part of its left ear removed or altered this indicates that the cat is a free-living cat that has been spayed/neutered to control population. This is part of a TNR (trap, neuter, return) program. Please do not re-trap these cats and bring them into the shelter." The city also seeks barns for feral cats in need of relocation. The city bylaw defines "feral cat" in s. 1.0; and exempts a cat colony program from anti-roaming requirements (s. 2.25). "City Animal Services is a no-kill shelter".
*Toronto (mixed support) - City bylaws provide broad authorization for the city to operate a TNR program. The city's comprehensive TNR program includes sterilization clinics and membership in the Toronto Feral Cat Coalition. Free sterilization for feral cats is offered to people who attend a workshop and register their colony with Toronto Animal Services. Free sterilization is also offered to low income cat owners. Nevertheless, Toronto Animal Services reported euthanizing 228 cats for being feral in 2013, as well as 512 cats for behaviour/temperament issues, and 213 cats for being orphaned. Toronto's mayor proclaimed a Feral Cat Awareness Day in 2013.
*Windsor (limited support) - Vouchers were given for discounted sterilization of 325 feral cats in 2014. One TNR volunteer commented, “The city gives thousands of dollars to the humane society to kill cats every year,” he said. “If they gave that to one of our animal groups, we could solve this whole problem.”
Quebec
*Côte Saint-Luc (since 2010) - The city began a TNR program in 2010. The Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee is led by Councillor Mike Cohen. The local animal services agency, the Montreal SPCA,
*Verdun (mixed support; since 2010) - TNR efforts began in 2010. The local animal services agency, the Montreal SPCA, The final "Operation Catnip" included 33 stray cats and 2 belonging to low income people.
Nova Scotia
*Province of Nova Scotia - The Nova Scotia SPCA, the animal services agency for much of the province of Nova Scotia, offers TNR services, including sterilization surgery and ear-tipping, at its low-cost, high-volume clinic. The organization's vision is "that Nova Scotia be a no-kill province and a safe place for all animals with zero tolerance for animal cruelty"; the agency's save rate was 91.3% for the first half of 2013, when no healthy or treatable animals were euthanized.
*Cape Breton Regional Municipality (since 2012) - In Nov. 2012, a committee of Cape Breton regional council voted to give the Feral and Abandoned Cat Society about $25,000 a year toward its costs.
*Digby (town) and Digby County (since 2003) - Both the town and county of Digby have been supporting volunteer TNR efforts since 2003.
*Halifax Regional Municipality - In 2013, the council of Halifax Regional Municipality voted to grant $40,000 for a low cost, high volume clinic directed toward helping feral cats. The clinic opened in the same month.
Prince Edward Island
*Prince Edward Island (mixed support) - Since 2001, TNR has been carried out by the Cat Action Team (CAT), a non-profit organization without government funding. Cats which are TNR'd have identification tattoos. and are euthanized.
Italy
*Country of Italy (since 1991) - Since August 1991, feral cats have been protected throughout Italy, when a no kill policy was introduced for both cats and dogs. Feral cats have the right to live free and cannot be moved from their colony; cat caretakers can be formally registered; and TNR methods are outlined in the national law on the management of pets.
*St. John's Island (since 2010) - A team of volunteers from the Singapore Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals returned for the sixth time since 2010 to TNR about 40 cats.
United States
Arizona
*Pima County (since 2014) - In August 2014, Pima County approved a three-year TNR program involving a $1.5 million grant from Best Friends Animal Society and PetSmart Charities. "The project will sterilize 5,000 community cats per year over the 3-year grant period and will decrease the euthanasia of cats at Pima Animal Care Center by nearly 30 percent." However, in 2014, the city voted to ban the feeding of feral cats on public property.
*Arcadia - The city mentions on its website that animal control services, provided by the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, include feral cat trap-neuter-return. The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA offers free spay/neuter, vaccinations (FVRCP and rabies), and ear-tipping for feral cats throughout the cities it serves: Arcadia, Bradbury, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Monrovia, Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino and Sierra Madre. However, in 2004, feral cats were declared a "public nuisance", and spaying/neutering is required if taking care of them.
*Chico - The city's animal services agency, the Chico Animal Shelter, promotes TNR as the most effective way of dealing with neighborhood cats, and discourage people from relocating cats outside their "natural range (200 feet or 2/3rds of a city block)". As of February 2013, the city shelter stopped taking in healthy cats, favoring TNR instead.
*Citrus Heights (since 2013) - In September 2013, the city animal services agency began a TNR program.
*County of Lake - The city provides a Feral Cat program; surgery, vaccines and ear-tipping is provided for free if the cat will be released to the same location where found.
*Cupertino - The city's animal services agency, Animal Care & Services of San Jose, promotes TNR as having "proven to be the most humane and effective method of managing feral cat populations." a TNR initiative of the Homeless Cat Network along the Levee Pedway in the San Francisco Bay area. The city's animal services agency, the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, offers a "Feral Cat Package” including sterilization, vaccines, ear tipping, FIV/FeLV testing. The city's animal services agency, Animal Care & Services of San Jose, promotes TNR as having "proven to be the most humane and effective method of managing feral cat populations." Animal control services are handled by the City of Salinas Animal services, which has a similar policy.
*Milpitas - The city's local ordinance sets out a minimum level of care for feral cats, and exempts feral cats from licensing requirements. The city's animal services agency, Animal Care & Services of San Jose, promotes TNR as having "proven to be the most humane and effective method of managing feral cat populations."
*Orange County (mixed support) - The county's Animal Services Department reported fewer complaints about cats, fewer cat admissions to the shelter, and reduced operating costs after implementing a TNR program offering free sterilization. Nevertheless, the euthanasia rate remained very high (50%, many considered "too young"), including 160 cats considered ineligible for TNR. OC Animal Care provides animal control services to 17 cities and all unincorporated areas within Orange County.
*Pasadena - The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA offers free spay/neuter, vaccinations (FVRCP and rabies), and ear-tipping for feral cats throughout the cities it serves: Arcadia, Bradbury, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Monrovia, Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino and Sierra Madre.
*Sacramento - "The City of Sacramento recognizes that feral cat colony caregivers are providing a tremendous service to the shelter by managing colonies, altering the cats, and generally reducing the need to house, feed, and euthanize these cats."
*Sacramento County - Sacramento County's Animal Care and Regulation department provides information about TNR, including a spay/neuter voucher program.
*Salinas (mixed support) - The local ordinance only allows feeding feral cats if the caretaker takes responsibility via TNR. Spay/neuter vouchers are offered as for any owned pet. Anyone can trap an unwanted cat and take the cat to the local shelter.
*San Francisco - In 1993, the San Francisco SPCA started a Feral Cat Assistance Program, offering free sterilization, advice and supplies to cat caretakers. In 2013, combined statistics for the San Francisco SPCA and animal control reported a live release rate of 90.4%.
*San Jose - The city's animal services agency, Animal Care & Services, promotes TNR as having "proven to be the most humane and effective method of managing feral cat populations." Subsidized feral cat surgeries are provided.
*Saratoga - The city's animal services agency, Animal Care & Services of San Jose, promotes TNR as having "proven to be the most humane and effective method of managing feral cat populations."
*Sonoma County - "In Sonoma County, cats are part of our landscape.... We love Community Cats by having them spayed or neutered and letting them stay in the environment they call home."
*South Pasadena - The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA offers free spay/neuter, vaccinations (FVRCP and rabies), and ear-tipping for feral cats throughout the cities it serves: Arcadia, Bradbury, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Monrovia, Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino and Sierra Madre.
Connecticut
*Connecticut (State) - A Connecticut statute "permits municipalities to adopt ordinances requiring registration of feral cat 'keepers,' defined as anyone who harbors or regularly feeds a feral cat. If a municipality enacts such an ordinance, the ordinance must require the keeper to sterilize the cat and have it vaccinated against rabies. The statute also enables municipalities to adopt ordinances holding cat owners and keepers responsible if their cats cause significant property damage or severe health violations." In October 2014, the state announced a $175,000 grant to the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments for a new TNR program.
*Quiet Corner (since 2014) - In October 2014, the state announced a $175,000 grant to the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments for a new TNR program.
*Delaware City (since 2014) - In January 2014, the city adopted an ordinance allowing TNR.
*Harrington - "Harrington is partnering with the Delaware SPCA, The Humane Society of the United States, Alley Cat Allies, and volunteers from the community to implement a feral cat management program." TNR was included in local ordinances at some point prior to 2014. Delivery of a feral cat to the local SPCA will likely result in euthanasia. The local animal services agency, the Washington Humane Society, has a Cat Neighborhood Partnership Program (CatNiPP) providing free spay/neuter, vaccinations and ear-tipping for any local community cats, as well as providing low cost services for cats from out of the area.
Florida
*Broward County - "Through a responsible sterilization program, Broward County Animal Care and Adoption seeks to control the number of feral cats in our community, so that the existing population can thrive and age naturally."
*DeLand (since 2013) - The city's ordinance provides for registration of designated cat colony caregivers. Colony caregivers sign an agreement, provide consent of the property owner at the colony location, and agree to various terms, such as sterilizing the cats and keeping records.
*Duval County - A Feral Freedom ordinance was passed in Dec. 2010 for a trial period. Duval Cat Fix offers free surgeries to feral and owned cats in the county, a program of First Coast No More Homeless Pets.
*Flagler Beach (since 2013) -The Flagler Beach City Commission partnered with the local humane society on TNR in July 2013, and amended local ordinances accordingly in April 2014.
*Jacksonville - A "Feral Freedom" program implemented in August 2008 has become a model for other communities. The local ordinance states that "The City shall establish a program for the handling and disposition of feral animals with no requirement for a holding period before disposition. All dogs and cats that are so unsocialized as to pose a threat to the safety and welfare of employees or the public shall be expeditiously and humanely euthanized (excluding any cat that qualifies for a community cat management program established by the City)."
*Miami-Dade County (includes city of Miami) (since 2012) - The local animal services agency, Miami-Dade County Animal Services, offers sterilization, vaccinations, and delivery of the cat back to the community free of charge. Director Alex Munoz said that the program was a great success in increasing the save rate for cats.
*Nassau County (since 2013) - In October 2013, Nassau County received funding for spay/neuter of feral cats and other animals, over two years. First Coast No More Homeless Pets also offered low cost packages and transportation to county residents.
*Orange County (mixed support) - "Animal Services works in conjunction with CARE Feline TNR, a non-profit organization committed to reducing the population of feral (wild) and abandoned cats through its Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program." However, if a resident finds the cats are a nuisance and wishes to remove them, trapping options are provided. The ordinance was described as loosening previous restrictions on people who feed feral cat colonies.
*Palm Beach County (mixed support) - A feral cat package is offered for spay/neuter and related services. The local ordinance requires annual registration of feral cat caregivers, with a notarized statement from property owners and written notification to the neighbours of a colony location.
*Pinellas County (pilot began 2014) - A TNR pilot project was approved in October 2014. To assess the pilot, animal services staff will track numbers of complaints, impounded cats, and colony cats reduced/stabilized in target areas. The ordinance was described as loosening previous restrictions on people who feed feral cat colonies. which was later expanded to residential communities. In 2014, officials reported that the city’s cost of taking cats to the local humane society, where feral cats were usually euthanized, had declined significantly since adopting the TNR ordinance. Only registered feral cat caretakers can feed and care for feral cats; registrations must be renewed annually. Vouchers were made available to help fund feral cat surgeries, but the voucher program was dropped in 2013 due to low demand. The coordinator of Campus Cats, a local TNR organization, said there continued to be many low cost clinics in the community.
*Atlanta (since 2013) - The local animal services agency, Fulton County Animal Services (FCAS), "saves feral cats through our trap-neuter-return program." In August 2014, the program was to be expanded: "Best Friends and PetSmart Charities will invest approximately $600,000 that will cover one full-time staff member to run the program, a transport van, spay/neuter surgeries and other vet costs, TNR program supplies, marketing support and staff training."
*DeKalb County (since 2011) - In August 2011, DeKalb County began a Feral Freedom program, "and we’re amazed at how quickly we’ve seen a turnaround. Last year, we were inundated with cats and kittens, and now we might have one or two in our cat area." The county shelter offers TNR advice and low cost spay/neutering for feral cats.
*Fayette County (trial period in 2014) - In April 2014, the Fayette County Commission approved a six-month trial of a TNR program.
*Fulton County (since 2013) - The county animal services agency, Fulton County Animal Services (FCAS), "saves feral cats through our trap-neuter-return program." Lifeline Animal Project (LAP) has managed FCAS since March 2013; after one year, reporting that adoptions had doubled and euthanasia was cut in half. In 2014, LAP's website said that its "Catlanta" project had neutered 22,520 feral cats over the years.
*Madison - The city ordinance provides for the managed care of feral cats. A humane society can act as sponsor; who maintains records, reports annually to the city, and approves feral cat colony caretakers.
Indiana
*Indianapolis - The city/county offers a Community Cat Package including spay/neuter, pain meds, ear-tip, vaccinations, medical treatment and TNR help.
*Johnson County (since 2013) - In September 2013, the county adopted a Feral Freedom ordinance: "Not long ago, Johnson County killed hundreds of healthy cats just because they didn't have homes. This year, these strays are instead being captured, neutered and returned to their colonies."
*Marion County - The city/county offers a Community Cat Package including spay/neuter, pain medication, ear-tipping, vaccinations, medical treatment and TNR help. The system was appreciated by a cat caretaker who had TNRd 153 cats over 7 years in a single city block. Chicago's 47th ward area was starting a pilot TNR program in 2012, "putting area feral cats to work battling its rat problem."
Kentucky
*Louisville (since 2007) - In 2007, Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) partnered with a local TNR group, Alley Cat Advocates, and stopped euthanizing feral cats that the organization had neutered. In 2010, the organizations secured a grant to spay and neuter cats in a targeted area, resulting in a 51% decrease in intakes from that area. Caretakers are permitted to provide food, water, and medical care, and seek help from LMAS if needed to prevent the suffering of a community cat.
Louisiana
*Baton Rouge (since 2014) - In September 2014, Baton Rouge Metro Council approved a TNR program "to reduce the number of stray cats in the community. Under the new measure, the Companion Animal Alliance will pick up stray cats and neuter them and return them from where they were picked up."
*Lafayette (since 2014) - In November 2014, the city council approved a TNR ordinance. "The ordinance encourages residents to register as colony caretakers, trap feral or stray cats and take them to Almost Home Humane Society to have them neutered, ear-tipped and vaccinated. The cats will then be returned to the area where they were trapped." Alley Cat Allies considered the ordinance a model for other jurisdictions, as it defined feral cats correctly; distinguished caregivers from owners; and distinguished "return" from abandonment. The law appears to have come into effect in 2009. In 2013, the city joined the TNR effort with the Baltimore Community Cat Project, aided by Best Friends Animal Society and PetSmart Charities.
Nebraska
*Bellevue (since 2014) - A local ordinance passed in January 2014 provides for TNR, exempting feral cats from leash laws and ownership, and requiring sterilization of 80% of colony cats.
*Omaha (mixed support) - The Nebraska Humane Society was involved in an 18-month TNR trial, noting that the numbers of stray cats declined over that period. Cat caretakers must apply for a permit every two years, providing proof of vaccinations and sterilization.
Nevada
*Clark County (since 2008) - "On October 1, 2008, the Managed Care of Feral Cats ordinance went into effect in the unincorporated Clark County. This program is designed to assist Feral cat caretakers to connect to better manage feral cat colonies."
*Fernley - Fernley does not pick up feral cats, but will provide a trap so the feral cat can be brought to the Nevada Humane Society or other rescue group. The Nevada Humane Society is a no kill organization, and advertises barn cats for relocation on its website.
*Las Vegas (since 2008) - The city is served by Clark County animal services, which implemented a TNR program in 2008.
New Jersey
*Atlantic City (since 2000) - "Atlantic City's chapter of Alley Cat Allies is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, having worked with the government since 2000 to keep feral colonies under control".
*Kearney (trial starting in 2014) - In October 2014, Kearny Town Council approved a TNR trial, to be reassessed at the end of 2015.
*Maplewood (pilot starting in 2014) - In October 2014, the township approved a three-year pilot TNR program beginning in December 2014. The program permits care of feral cat colonies only in accordance with a program registering caretakers; supervised by a sponsor, a newly formed organization, Furry Hearts.
New Mexico
* Albuquerque - "Cat euthanasia rates have dropped drastically due to a large, community-based effort to use Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) to control the Albuquerque feral cat population." The city provides information about community cats and TNR on its Web site, and pays for surgery of feral cats. The local ordinance was revised from treating caregivers as owners who were expected to register the cats and keep them from roaming. TNR in Albuquerque has proved ineffective at preventing property damage: community cats overran Albuquerque's Kirtland neighborhood, preventing residents from being able to run their air conditioners in the summer. Concerns about the welfare of feral cats in Albuquerque's TNR program also caused an animal rights activist, Marcy Britton, to sue the City of Albuquerque for its use of TNR.
New York
*Amherst (since 2014) - In October, 2014, the Town Board approved a TNR plan: "Under the new plan, a group of volunteers will trap the cats, spay or neuter them and then vaccinate the felines before releasing them back into nature. Council members said the plan will help reduce the feral cat population with no cost to taxpayers."
*Buffalo (since 2014) - In June 2014, the city passed an ordinance "which recognizes the right of free roaming cats to exist and be properly cared for. The City has also budgeted $50,000 for Trap Neuter Vaccinate and Release activity in the coming fiscal year."
*Canandaigua (since 2012) - In 2012, the city ordinance was changed to allow specific TNR efforts by an organization, The Colony Caregivers. Colonies must be registered with the City Manager, which can be done by email. The City retains the power to declare a colony a public nuisance. Animal Care and Control of NYC provides information about TNR on its website.
Oklahoma
*Oklahoma City (since 2007; expanded in 2012) - "Since March 2007 more than 8,000 cats have been TNR’d in Oklahoma City, directly impacting the city’s euthanasia rate, and saving taxpayer dollars that previously funded the euthanasia of animals." In May 2012, a Feral Freedom or Community Cats Program expanded the TNR effort.
Pennsylvania
*Derry (since 2012) - The township was involved in the creation of Derry Township Community Cats, a TNR program launched in 2012.
*Emmaus (since 2013) - Emmaus Council has contracted with local sanctuary for TNR at $15 per cat.
*Hummelstown (since 2014) - Hummelstown Borough Council approved a TNR program in May 2014.
*Philadelphia (since 2014) - A new Community Cats Project was announced in August 2014. With funding from PetSmart Charities and Best Friends Animal Society, the three-year program "will furnish staff and equipment to neuter 4,000 cats the first year and 12,000 in three years, focusing on low-income neighborhoods across the city."
*Steelton (since 2010) - When Councilwoman "Maria Marcinko took office in 2010, faced with high costs for the "trap and kill" approach, the community opted for TNR."
*Swatara Township, Dauphin County (since 2012) - A TNR program was launched in June 2012 with the help of the Steelton Borough Community Cat Program. The program is free to township residents, and is "full-service. Volunteers trap the cats, take them to the Steelton facility until spay/neuter day, provide the surgery, vaccines and other medical care, and then provide three days of convalescence before returning the cats to their original location."
South Carolina
*Charleston (since 2012) - A free-roaming cat program was planned for a two-year trial period, despite the city's misgivings "that free roaming cats may be in violation of law and constitute a public safety and health threat" to citizens. The free-roaming cat program was evaluated as successful and continued beyond the two-year trial period. The TNR program is part of the community's plan to become no kill.
*Spartanburg (since 2013) - The city received a grant from PetSmart Charities for a one-year TNR program beginning in January 2013.
Tennessee
*Chattanooga - The city's 2012 ordinance defines feral cat and community cat, The city's animal services agency promotes TNR as cost-effective. The city's animal services agency holds feral cat clinics in October to celebration National Feral Cat Day.
Texas
*Austin - The city's website states: "Austin Humane Society in partnership with Austin Animal Center has an exciting new program called Community Cats. This program uses a method called Trap-Neuter-Return or TNR. TNR with the Community Cats Program provides free sterilization, rabies vaccinations, and a place for cats to recover after surgery." Austin was recognized for saving all healthy and treatable pets in 2012 with a 94% save rate.
*Dallas (mixed support) - Dallas Animal Services provides information about TNR and the local ordinance providing for TNR on its website. "Section 7-3.1 of the city ordinance makes it a defense to prosecution that the animal is: 'A feral cat participating in a trap, neuter and return program approved by the Code Compliance director.'" Local organization Garland Pawsibilities will offer training to residents and low cost spay/neuter services for feral cats. The program involves certification of colony managers. Most residents weighing in on the program on a local news site expressed support for it. The city has information about TNR on its website, but also offers traps for citizens to trap nuisance animals including feral cats to bring into the animal shelter.
*Houston - "The city of Houston promotes TNR for the management of our city's feral cats, and citizens are encouraged to feed and care for feral cats as long as they are in accordance with the following three requirements. Any citizen feeding feral cats must be actively working towards getting all cats in the colony spayed and neutered (i.e. accomplishing the TNR of the colony), must be feeding in a way that does not attract raccoons or possums, and must have the permission of the property owner/manager to be feeding the cats if the colony location is not on either their own property or on city property. As long as citizens are in accordance with these requirements, they are encouraged to feed and care for the feral cats within their colony and can submit an application to become an official colony manager."
*Fort Worth - "The City of Fort Worth endorses Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) as a humane method of controlling feral cat populations and as a means of establishing a coalition of community-based resources. The Fort Worth program focuses on coordinating the efforts of compassionate members of the community who serve as feral cat colony sponsors and feral cat colony caretakers."
*San Antonio (since 2012) - In 2012, the city endorsed TNR as "a lot more humane, progressive and innovative than simply trapping and euthanizing. That's what we've done for 40-plus years, and there are still a lot of cats out there; it didn't work." In May 2014, San Antonio's Animal Care Services reported a 90% live release rate for cats, stating that the success was "built on increased spay/neuter, community cat programs and feline placement."
*Waco - The city's website explained that community cats were exceptions to animal ordinances, effective January 1, 2014: "In addition to the state-mandatory rabies vaccination, outside cats, both owned and unowned, must be spayed or neutered. No microchip required for community cats with the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) left ear tip, performed during spay/neuter surgery."
Utah
*Utah State - Extensive state legislation exists, known as the "Community Cat Act". Community cats are exempt from licensing and feeding bans, and may be released prior to the 5 day holding period for other animals received by a shelter.
*St. George (since 2004) - In 2009, the city was named as one of the supporters of One More Chance Animal Rescue Program, which had TNRd more than 1100 animals in 5 years. In January 2013, the city expanded their involvement by partnering with Best Friends Animal Society on a Feral Freedom program diverting cats from shelters and into the community.
*Salt Lake City (since 2006) - The city provided a TNR process in its animal ordinance in 2006. In 2012, the requirements to register a colony were removed. Now a Feral Freedom program is in place: an impounded feral cat is held for the mandatory holding period; then sterilized, ear-tipped, vaccinated, and released near the original location where the cat was found. Working with Best Friends Animal Society, Salt Lake County Animal Services officials are seeking caretakers for feral cat colonies.
Virginia
*Fairfax County (since 2008) - "Working with hundreds of feral cat colony caretakers, the Shelter provides free spay or neuter surgery and basic medical care to feral cats. Since 2008, over 3,000 feral cats have been spayed or neutered through the Shelter's Trap-Neuter-Return program .... The Shelter has seen a significant reduction in the number of kittens entering our facility and Foster Program since our TNR program was established in 2008."
*Hampton (mixed support) - The local ordinance includes a section on the unlawful care of feral cats, and requires annual registration for feral cat caregivers; feral cats in registered colonies are exempted from cat licensing requirements.
*Isle of Wight County (mixed support) - The local ordinance includes a section on the unlawful care of feral cats, and requires annual registration of feral cat caregivers; feral cats in registered colonies are exempted from cat licensing requirements.
*Newport News (mixed support) - The local ordinance includes a section on the unlawful care of feral cats, and requires annual registration for feral cat caregivers; feral cats in registered colonies are exempted from cat licensing requirements. The city's Animal Services Division provides assistance with "Feral cat abatement" including trap rentals, after which feral cats brought in are euthanized.
*West Point (mixed support) - Feral cat caregivers are required to be responsible for sterilization, keeping medical records, and regular feeding, but do not have to be registered. The Town Council suspended actively trapping feral cats, but provides traps on request, and there is concern that feral cats are being killed.
Washington
*King County - Regional Animal Services offers a barn cat program to rehome feral cats.
Wisconsin
*Oconto - The local ordinance provides: "Feral cat communities may be licensed under a program that provides health checks and spay and neuter services for these animals. Cats in such a colony should be microchipped when they are captured for health checks." Cat licensing is voluntary.

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