Trap loans and TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) Program

Program's Beginning  

In 2024, The City Of Castroville received a grant from the Best Friends Organization in the Amount of $19,000 to help fund the beginnings of the city's initiative to start TNR to help reduce the Cat population and spread of disease in cat populations within the city limits of Castroville. It helped fund the Trapping, Spay/Neuter surgeries, and vaccinations of nearly 200 cats within the city limits of Castroville.

TNR Theory and Benefits

The idea behind TNR is that there will always be cats where people are. Many of these cats will be stray or feral (not pets) and would be deemed unadoptable if they were to be taken to an Animal Shelter due to their natural temperament. For these cats, the only option would be for them to be euthanized. Years of going in the endless cycle of euthanizing stray or feral cats ends up never really solving the issue of cats being in and around our homes, businesses, and community, and does nothing to help with the spread of disease in cat populations as new and unvaccinated cats will move into the territory to fill that gap. By having a population of cats within a territory that have been sterilized and vaccinated, this will begin to minimize the problems of overpopulation or potential disease, as well as prevent new unvaccinated and intact cats from coming into the territory. This theory is called the "Vaccuum effect".

Why is TNR important for Castroville?

It reduces cat populations 

TNR is an internationally proven, widely accepted non-lethal solution that has proven to reduce colony numbers over time.

It helps the community

Once sterilized, many cats lose the urge to roam and fight, eliminating most nuisance behaviors (such as yowling, spraying, roaming, and reproducing). 

It helps the shelters and rescues

TNR keeps unadoptable cats out of the shelter, by reducing euthanasia and freeing up valuable space and resources for other cats in need.

It improves the lives of the cats

TNR helps reduce the stresses associated with mating. Cats that go through TNR have also been vaccinated minimizing them contracting and spreading harmful diseases like rabies and other disease. 

Want to get involved? Here's how.

Good feeding practices 

TNR is something any member of the public can do. Many people feel the urge to feed community cats, but unless you are prepared to take the additional steps of Spaying/Neutering and vaccinating them, we discourage this practice as it will just lure cats into a specific area causing nuisance complaints from neighbors, attracting wildlife, as well as promoting the spread of disease. Indiscriminate feeding should never be done where you just leave food out in excess. Instead we recommend TARGETED FEEDING, where if you see a cat that seems like it needs a little bit of extra help, leave a small amount of food out at the same time every day, and pick it up 30- 45 minutes later. 

Sign up for TNR classes

The San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition offers FREE classes to teach you the safe, legal and ethical way to become a trapper for TNR.