We love our Community Cats!
Important Information:
Due to the high volume of applications and the unpredictable weather, Trap-Neuter-Return applicants may be placed on a waiting list. We will do our best to contact you as soon as possible to schedule an appointment, but please be patient as we work through the backlog.
If you live outside of our service area, we recommend exploring TNR programs closer to you for more timely assistance.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Empowering the community to manage and care for feral cat colonies humanely, our TNR program is a testament to what we can achieve together for the welfare of cats and the well-being of our neighborhoods.
What is TNR?
TNR stands for Trap, Neuter, Return. TNR programs exist throughout the country to humanely control the population of feral cat colonies, and to give these community cats happy, healthy lives in the wild.
Blue Mountain Humane Society’s TNR program consists of scheduled bi-monthly TNR events.
These events are for groups of three or more cats, who are not friendly to humans.
This program operates entirely on donations and provides services to hundreds of cats per year. We kindly ask that you donate to our TNR program if you would like to participate. We welcome donations from anyone in the community to help offset the cost of these events.
Our TNR program’s history:
Our trap, neuter, return program began as an all-volunteer organization called The Cat Management Cooperative. It started independently in 2008, then joined efforts with Blue Mountain Humane Society in 2014.
We have since returned thousands of feral and free-roaming cats, drastically reducing the number of incoming strays, euthanasias, and Animal Control complaints.
This program assists with preventing colony overpopulation, illness, and food source competition.
How it works:
If you're interested in scheduling an appointment, please fill out a TNR application online or call us at (509) 525-2452. Once we receive your application, we'll contact you. We have a large backlog of applications and are working diligently to help everyone in need. Please be patient as we try to accommodate everyone. We ask that you please donate in order to help us continue to offer these services. To give you an idea of costs, the regular cost for a scheduled feral cat package is $60 per cat, and our low-cost spay neuter is $80-150 per cat for surgery alone.
Using BMHS loaned TNR humane-live traps, participants TRAP and then transfer the trapped feral/free-roaming cats to Blue Mountain Humane Society the morning of a TNR event.
SPAY/NEUTER: The trapped feral/free-roaming cats are administered anesthesia spayed/neutered by a veterinarian and given up-to-date vaccines and an ear-tip.
RETURN: Our TNR Coordinator calls participants once their feral/free-roaming cats have recovered from surgery and ready to be picked up. Participants then return the cats to their original colony location. BMHS does not keep these cats.
Our dedicated TNR volunteers and BMHS veterinary team are at the heart of our TNR efforts, providing expert care and making a lasting difference in the lives of countless feral cats through spay/neuter and health services.
Details:
Q: How much does it cost?
A: We rely solely on donations, non-governmental grants, and the continued commitment by dedicated volunteers to keep TNR services available.
Q: Does my situation qualify?
A: If there are three or more cats in a colony within your area and they are feral/free-roaming (avoiding human contact), this program is for you. We only accept feral/free-roaming cats in traps, and all cats will receive an ear tip. This program is not for pet cats or barn cats.
Q: How can I tell if a feral/free-roaming cat has already been altered?
A: The universal sign is an ear-tip. This painless procedure results in a small snip off the tip of the left ear allowing for identification at a distance.
Q: Does TNR provide equipment?
A: We will loan the number of humane-live-traps you need for your colony.
Q: What if I can’t wait until the next TNR event?
A: We offer the same services (trap loan, spay/neuter, vaccinations, ear-tip) by appointment for $60 per feral cat.
Q: Can I bring friendly cats in for a TNR event?
A: No. A feral cat lives outdoors, avoids human contact, won't allow touch or handling, and primarily remains hidden from humans. If you have a friendly cat who needs to be spayed or neutered, please check out our low-income spay and neuter program. We will turn away any friendly pet cats at a TNR event.
Q: What if I believe someone can adopt some of the feral/free-roaming cats in the colony?
A: We are more than happy to evaluate the specified cats during the TNR event.
