Trap-Neuter-Return is significant for cities moving toward a “no-kill” environment and is the only humane and effective approach for stray and feral cats. Scientific studies show that TNR improves the lives of feral cats, improves their relationships with the people or retail establishments located near them, and decreases the size of colonies over time. Trap-Neuter-Return is now in practice in many cities in the U.S. after being proven in Europe. The first U.S. city to adopt TNR practices was Jacksonville, FL in 2008 who boasts that the program continues to save thousands of cats each year and frees up vital resources to be used on adoptable pets. In 2010, San Jose, CA replicated the program and decreased Animal Care Services intake by 29% after just four years, and decreased cats euthanized from 70% in 2009 to just 23% in 2014. In 2016, SCRF provided TNR services to 71 cats – in 2017 we estimate TNR for over 190 cats.

Although feral cats are neutered, given medical attention and then returned to an environment where they’re provided food and shelter, adoptable cats and kittens are moved into foster and adoption placement. The SCRF has a network of volunteers that provide foster homes to cats coming in from the outside and we partner with several adoption sites including Petsmart, The South Jersey Animal Hospital and the Mount Laurel Animal Hospital just to name a few. In 2016, SCRF helped 43 cats and kittens move to foster or adoptive homes and another seven were transferred to other rescue organizations. In 2017, we estimate over 125 cats and kittens will be brought in from the outside and given loving homes.