TRAP NEUTER RETURN (TNR) POLICY 
 
 
PURPOSE: 
Lac La Biche Regional Humane Society (LLBRHS) believes that the most humane, effective, and financially sustainable strategy for controlling feral and non-pet barn cat populations is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), whereby animals are humanely trapped, sterilized, vaccinated and returned to their colony of origin. TNR programs have the ability to stabilize the population of a cat colony and over time, reduce it.  As well, overall health and welfare of these animals is greatly improved, objectionable spraying, vocalizing and fighting behaviors of cats in the colony are largely eliminated, public health risks are mitigated, and cat complaints are proactively addressed.
 
POLICY
This policy includes procedures and procedures to coordinate the TNR Program through a volunteer-based initiative.
In order to stabilize and eventually reduce the feral and non-pet barn cat populations through attrition, the LLBRHS supports the management of non-pet cat colonies through TNR, distribution of exclusionary devices and deterrents, and public education regarding the humane management of cat colonies.  The program includes trapping, scanning for the presence of a microchip, vaccination with a modified live vaccine, sterilization, ear “notching” side of left ear as a visible sign that the cat has been sterilized, and is limited to private property by owner request, or with owner permission.
 
DEFINITIONS
 
For the purposes of this policy and procedures:
Acting Veterinarian ~ The veterinarian selected to perform the spay or neuter of the colony cats.
Caretaker ~ refers to the property owner or tenant acting with the owner’s permission, to provide essential care to the colony.
Colony ~ a group of feral or non-tame barn cats that generally share a common food source & shelter.
Feral Cat ~ an undomesticated male or female cat of any age that, in general, receives little human contact or care and lives outdoors or unconfined at all times.
LLBRHS ~ the Lac La Biche Regional Humane Society
Municipality ~ the Corporation of Lac La Biche County.
Non-Pet Barn Cat  ~ a feral or semi feral male or female cat of any age that lives out-of-doors, on agricultural properties, usually sheltering in outbuildings.
Rehome ~ per the LLBRHS Adoption Policy, to permanently adopt a cat to a new home and owner to be a house pet, support animal, mouse control/ barn cat or similarly cared for, or to join a managed Feral Cat colony.
Stray Cat ~ a tame male or female cat of any age, lost or abandoned by their owner, which lives outdoors or unconfined at all times. 
Tame Barn Cat Colony ~ a group of domesticated (tame) male or female cats of any age that live out-of-doors, on agricultural properties, usually sheltering in outbuildings.
Trap Neuter Return or TNR ~ the community-based Trap-Neuter-Return program operating in Lac La Biche County & managed by the LLBRHS.
TNR Personnel ~ LLRHS staff or volunteers acting under the direction of the Shelter Administrator to carry out the operation of the TNR Program, and may include the property owner(s) who applied for assistance under the TNR Program and/or the Acting Veterinarian.
 
PROCEDURES
A - AUTHORITY, MONITORING & REPORTING:

1. The LLBRHS shall establish procedures as required for the program and shall monitor and report on activities, issues and complaints annually to the Municipality upon request. The LLBRHS and all personnel shall adhere to the provisions of this Policy and Procedures at all times.
2. The LLBRHS Shelter Administrator shall designate or remove the designation of persons as TNR volunteers at his or her discretion. 
3. Under the direction of the LLBRHS Shelter Administrator, LLBRHS provides authority for TNR personnel to:
   
   1. safely trap and transport Non-Pet Barn and Feral Cats in Lac La Biche County to and from the acting veterinarian performing the spay/neuter; or
      
   2. to transfer Stray Cats to the LLBRHS Shelter for owner search/ rehoming.
      

B – SPECIAL PROVISIONS:

1. Small Kittens (under estimated 6 weeks of age):  Because the mortality rate of feral kittens is 75% on average, small kittens will be fostered/tamed and offered for adoption.
2. Sick or Injured Cats:  Unless treatment can be entirely performed at the time of surgery (eg, cleaning/repairing a wound or extracting a tooth), humane euthanasia will be performed to prevent undue suffering or further disease transmission. 
3. Pregnant Queens:  All pregnant queens will be spayed.
4. Lactating Queens:  If a lactating female is trapped, TNR personnel and/or the colony caretaker should search the area for the kittens. If kittens cannot be located, every effort should be made by the caretaker to have the cat spayed and to release her within 24 hours of trapping so that she can care for and nurse her kittens.
5. Tame Barn Cats:  Applications to help manage tame barn cat colony populations will be considered on an individual basis, and will subject to funding availability and based on demonstrated need.
6. Cat Bites:  In the case of any bite to a human, the LLBRHS Animal Bite Procedure will be followed.  If personnel or a volunteer is scratched or bitten by a feral cat, they will be instructed NOT to release the cat and to bring it to the shelter for appropriate rabies quarantine. 
7. Identification:  To ensure that surgery is not performed on the same cat twice, the left ear of every cat will notched. Cats with notched left ears will thereby be readily identified as graduates of TNR and will be released immediately if re-trapped.
8. Liability:  All volunteers and colony caretakers are required to sign release forms prior to participating in TNR including both trap loan and clinic release forms. Rabies vaccination is recommended for volunteers that trap feral cats for TNR. Humane trapping and safety instructions will be provided to all volunteers. 
9.  Medical Care during Surgery Clinics:

At the time of surgery, all cats will receive the following:

• Physical examination
• Cats that are pregnant or dehydrated will also receive 150-250 ml SQ fluids.
• Infections disease will be assessed on a case by case basis
• Ear notch of left ear
• Modified Live Vaccination
• Injection of long acting antibiotic

 
C - GENERAL PROVISIONS:
 
Property owners or authorized tenant/caretaker may apply to have the animals on their property spayed/neutered under the provisions of the LLBRHS TNR Program.  The application form may be found on the LLBRHS website or obtained from the LLBRHS Shelter.

1. As per ABVMA standards; cats will not be trapped in weather above 20 degrees or below 0 degrees Celsius. 
2. Only humane live traps approved and provided by the LLBRHS may be used for trapping Non-Pet Barn and Feral Cats. Once baited, TNR personnel shall not leave traps unchecked for periods longer than 8 consecutive hours.  
3. Live traps containing cats are to be handled with care at all times to ensure cats experience minimal discomfort and ensure the safety of the volunteer.  Whenever possible, feral cats will not be handled directly but will be transferred using cat dens, guillotine doors, nets or other humane restraint equipment. Whenever possible, feral cats will be sedated or anesthetized prior to extensive handling.
4. Cats which are captured are to be checked for identification as soon as safely possible.  
5. In the event a cat is found with any form of identification (including a tattoo, microchip, collar or other identification), TNR personnel or Acting Veterinarian shall immediately notify the LLBRHS and the cat shall be released to the LLBRHS within 12 hours. 
6. Where a Feral Cat is found without identification, TNR personnel shall provide LLBRHS with a description of the cat including the sex, breed, colour and age within 24 hours. 
7. The Shelter Administrator or designate shall be responsible for making all arrangements for cats to be spayed or neutered under the TNR Program, and to receive other veterinarian advise/recommendations. All expenses and responsibilities incurred under the TNR Program, including medical costs, relocating responsibilities and the care of cats prior to rehoming, shall be the sole responsibility LLBRHS.  
8. Stray Cats and/or small feral kittens may be kept in a LLBRHS approved Foster Home or temporary shelter of TNR personnel while awaiting veterinary treatment or adoption or while being socialized for adoption provided that the cats:
   1. Are well cared for and;
   2. Do not create a nuisance to neighbouring residents. 
9. TNR Personnel shall follow all applicable Municipal bylaws as well as any relevant Federal and Provincial legislation and regulations. At all times, the TNR Program shall endeavor to address residents’ concerns regarding Stray and Feral Cats while safeguarding the health and welfare of Stray and Feral Cats in the Municipality.
10. Recognition by Municipal Animal Control Officers, TNR personnel, and shelter staff that an ear-notched cat has already been spayed or neutered allows for healthy, unsocialized cats to remain at or to be returned to their origin, rather than be admitted to an animal shelter or euthanized. The TNR program will only return cats to their origin if they are receiving adequate food, water and shelter, and if the environment is conducive to successful outdoor living. The Program will advocate for the well-being of the cats, mediate cat-related neighborhood nuisance complaints and assist with installation of exclusionary measures or deterrents to limit cats’ presence in dangerous, ecologically sensitive or contested areas.
11. Every effort will be made to place well-socialized free-roaming cats and kittens in new homes when feasible.
12. Managed colonies will not be supported;
    1. in ecologically sensitive areas;
    2. in areas where demolition or development is impending;
    3. where cats are being subjected to harm or abuse; or
    4. where, despite best efforts, nuisance complaints cannot be satisfactorily mediated.

In such cases, efforts will focus on relocating the colony, paired with the adoption of sociable animals and the placement of unadoptable animals into legitimate, humane sanctuaries as required. In addition, after the cats are removed, exclusionary measures and deterrents can be put into place to prevent immigration of new cats to the area.
 
 Failure to abide by this policy may result in persons no longer being permitted to participate in TNR activities or the withdrawal of authority for the TNR program. 
________________________________________             Approved June 27, 2016 - MJ Siebold, Chairperson  
                                                                                                                            Amended November 25, 2020 - MJ Siebold, Chairperson  ​
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