Trap Neuter Return

Trap Neuter Return (TNR) at the DSPCA is a subsidised neutering service for unowned / community cats. It is a humane method of managing and reducing the population of these cats.

Along with population control our TNR Programme can help provide a better quality of life for these cats.

Did you know?

Did you know that each female cat can become pregnant from as early as 5 months old and multiple times during the season. One un-neutered cat couple can be responsible for producing up to 18 kittens during their first kitten season, increasing to almost 12,000 in 5 years and OVER TWO MILLION KITTENS in 8 years of fertility.

How it works - Step 1

You book a TNR on our website.

The cost is €35.00 and is paid prior to your appointment through our secure web payment.

You will be given a day and a time to collect a humane cat trap from the shelter.

There is a FULLY REFUNDABLE CASH DEPOSIT of €100 for the cat trap on the day of collection.

On collection of the cat trap, an appointment will be made for you to bring the trapped cat back to the shelter. (Appointments are Mon-Thurs only)

How it works - Step 2

Once you have trapped the cat you can bring it to the shelter at the time of your scheduled appointment.

The cat will be neutered and ear tipped and stay overnight at the shelter.

When the cat is ready for collection you will be contacted to collect the cat from the shelter.

The cat can now be returned to the outdoor home/area they are familiar with so they can now thrive without the risk of unwanted pregnancy and behaviours.

Your cash deposit of €100 for the cat trap will be given back to you when the empty cat trap has been returned to the shelter.

Help cats in your community

TNR

To BOOK a TNR appointment please follow this link.

Book A TNR Here

Colony

To report a suspected colony of cats in the Dublin area please email the DSPCA.

Foster

Foster kittens to help the DSPCA cope with the hundreds of kittens that come into the shelter during kitten season.

Donate

Donate and help the DSPCA save the lives of the hundreds of cats and kittens that come into the shelter throughout the year.

Donate now

How do I know if a cat has already been neutered?

You can tell if a Community Cat has already been neutered by checking to see if one of its ears has been tipped.

An ear-tipping is the removal of about one centimeter of the tip of an adult cat’s ear. This is a universally recognizsed, safe and humane procedure that is done while the cat is under anesthesia during neutering. This is don’t done for cats that are pets. It is only done for outside community cats, barn/farmyard cats.

Is trapping humane?

We will never do harm to any animal. We use only humane traps to catch the cat or cats for neutering. The cats will not be injured in the trapping and we will never proceed with trapping if there is any risk to the cat’s safety whatsoever. We won’t even trap in bad weather.

When do you trap?

Cats are crepuscular which just means that they are more active between dusk and dawn. For that reason we prefer to set the traps in the evening as the light is fading as after this time, especially the quieter it gets in the neighbourhood, the more chances of successfully trapping the cat.

Is there anything I should do to prepare?

The single most important thing to do is to stop providing food to the cat for 24 hours before the trapping. Although this can be very hard to do, the trapping will not be successful unless the cat is hungry. Most trapping fails from well-meaning people who continue to provide food within 24 hours of the trapping.

How do I find out if the cat is someone’s pet?

Generally cats for Trap Neuter Return (TNR) are reserved and fearful of humans. Although they are happy to be fed, they will tend to keep their distance.

If you are unsure at all, you should take a picture of the cat(s) and ask around your neighbour using social media to see if you can find an owner. Most neighbours have wonderful resources that can help with this like “Neighbourhood Watch” & “Residents Association” groups.

If the cat allows you to pet them, there is a good chance that they have a home nearby as cats can have a wide range of territory. If the cat is friendly and allows you, you could use our handy print and cut out paper collars to try to find an owner.