Our feral cat program provides safe, standardized Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) services while ensuring proper identification of cats that have been sterilized.

A feral cat is an unsocialized outdoor cat that fears humans. A community cat in a TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program is an umbrella term for any unowned outdoor cat, whether friendly or feral.

Under Catawba County law, feeding an animal for more than three days may make you its legal owner.

The Feral Cat Package Includes

• Spay or neuter surgery
• Rabies vaccination
• Ear tipping

Ear tipping is required for all feral (TNR) cats. The ear tip serves as permanent visual identification that the cat has been sterilized through a TNR program.

Humane Trap Requirement

• All feral cats must be presented in a humane live trap.
• You must provide your own humane live trap. The Humane Society no longer rents or loans traps; traps can be purchased at most farm-supply and hardware stores or from online retailers.
• Cats presented in carriers, crates, boxes, or any other container will not be accepted for feral / TNR services and will be declined.

Ear Tip Requirement

The ear tip is a mandatory component of the feral cat package and may not be declined. If an owner or caregiver declines the ear tip, the feral cat package will be voided, and all services provided will be charged at the applicable full-price individual service rates. By presenting a cat for feral / TNR services, the owner or caregiver acknowledges and agrees to these requirements.

Policy Enforcement

These requirements are in place to support safe handling, accurate identification, and effective community TNR efforts. Staff may decline services when the requirements of this policy are not met.