The Lifesaving Vitality of TNR in our County

In Ventura County, nearly 60,000 community cats live outdoors, with over 75% being unfixed. If a cat is feral (feral means unsocialized and not able to be handled) they must be humanely trapped. Our volunteers utilize only Tru Catch traps to ensure safety during the trapping process. Food/sardines/chicken etc. is used in trap as bait. Cats will enter traps and once stepping on the trigger plate in trap, the door of trap securely closes behind them. Cats are transported in traps to and from surgery to minimize injury to them or our volunteers. Once rescued, each cat receives expert spay/neuter surgery, essential vaccines, flea treatment, and any critical medical care required. They are also scanned for a microchip to ensure they are not owned/missing/lost pets. During surgery, they receive a professional right-ear tip—a surgical removal of the tip of the right ear that serves as a permanent, visible marker across Ventura County that they are cared for and sterilized. Cats are recovered overnight in a quiet, safe location and monitored for signs of any complications from surgery. Once fully recovered, they are returned to their colony to live their lives without the ability to reproduce or spread disease. TNR is the most humane way to reduce the number of community cats.