If a lactating female is trapped, the caregiver should check the area for kittens. If kittens are located, you can capture them by placing the trapped mother cat next to another baited trap. Some very young kittens can be caught without a trap, but they are often still too wild to be handled easily. It may be possible [...]
TNR Chicago | Trap Neuter Return Information & Education
Educating The Community About Feral Cats And Trap Neuter Return Programs
How to TNR
Below, you will find all of the resources we have available to help you with your TNR program. You may browse through the articles at your leisure, or use the search box at the top right of every page to search the for the answer to your TNR questions.
Click here for a TNR Friendly Clinic in Chicagoland.
There are also TNR Work Shops that you can attend to see how the process works firsthand. It is a great way to network with others and get answers that deal specifically with your situation. These free work shops are held every week in Chicago in various locations!
What happens if I trap my neighbor’s cat?
If you happen to trap a neighbor’s cat which is not sterilized, you will need to consider whether to spay/neuter him. Our advice is to talk to your neighbor and explain what you are doing and why you want to sterilize the cat. You can also add that by letting the cat outside that they are violating [...]
Should I trap a pregnant cat?
Yes, we recommend trapping and spaying pregnant cats. Animal Care and Control euthanizes more feral kittens than any other animals and we are flooded with kitten admission requests throughout the year. Female kittens may start to mate as young as four months of age, and the queens may start to mate again about 8-10 weeks after delivery. [...]
How long should I wait before releasing the cats back to their territory?
If all goes well, we recommend keeping males for 24 hours during warm weather and 48 hours during winter. Females usually need at least one day more than males. Keep cats in their traps for the entire recovery period. Generally, if the cats are eating, drinking and eliminating regularly, they are ready to be returned to the [...]
How should I care for the cats after surgery?
The cats must be kept warm and dry since they will not be able to regulate their body temperatures after surgery. Ideally, they should be kept at room temperature. If that is not possible, they can be kept in a garage or shed with blankets wrapped around the traps, leaving an opening for air circulation. You can also [...]