Trap Neuter Return (TNR) Program

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a nationwide effort to control the outdoor/community cat population by spaying or neutering them, allowing them to stay in their home environment without adding to the population. Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter recognizes the need for these services and seeks to provide them at an affordable cost. This program is intended for those caring for community cats within Yellowstone County but outside of Billings city limits. Caretakers enrolled in this program are required to sign up their colonies through Catstats to allow for colony tracking and access to the TNR coordinator.

Services provided through the TNR Program

Spay/Neuter
Vaccination
Ear tipping (roughly a 1/4 inch tip taken off the left ear to visually allow for TNR’d cats to be identified)

Catstats: https://www.catstats.org/yellowstonevalley

Apply for the TNR Program Here

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I enroll in this program?

Please fill out the application above to enroll in this program.

What cats qualify for this program?

Typically unowned outdoor cats that are not spayed or neutered and are outside Billings city limits.

What services are provided for TNR cats?

Spay/Neuter
Ear tipping
Age appropriate vaccination
A single 24hr dose of pain medication

These services are only offered as a package deal to ensure the best possible care.

Pricing for TNR

Pricing is broken down to $25 per cat which includes the above services.

Trapping assistance provided by a staff member:

2-5 cats – $50

7-20 cats – $100

20+ call for pricing

Financial assistance and large group specials can be requested through the TNR Coordinator.

What services are not provided through the TNR program?

Any services not listed above will not be provided, this includes follow up care.

Why do you have to be outside city limits?

Per Ordinance 05-5351 Sec. 4-406 of Billings city ordinances YVAS is limited in our ability to assist with outdoor cats.

Vasectomy vs. Neuter

Additionally: Male vasectomies are optional at $45 per cat and covers all of the above services the additional vet time and a FELV/FIV test.

Vasectomy:

A vasectomy is recommended for those that live in more remote areas and would like to keep their cat population stable. This surgery ensures that they are no longer able to reproduce but allows them to keep producing testosterone. This means that they will still continue to spray, chase other males away, fight and attempt to mate. Males that go through this surgery must be well established and preferably the dominant male in the colony as well as pass a FIV/FELV test to ensure they are able to recover from the more invasive surgery and will not be sexually contagious to other cats.

Neuter:

A neuter is recommended for those wanting to reduce the nuisance of having cats or that live in closer vicinity to others that might find the cats a nuisance. This surgery completely removes the testicles and therefore testosterone and mitigates the urges to spray, fight and yowl as well as any mating behavior.

Can YVAS rehome any of these cats for me?

The purpose of TNR is to RETURN the cats to their original location. This is done to ensure that they continue to live a quality life in a place they are familiar with and means that new cats will not replace those that were removed. YVAS has a barn cat program that only supports eight cats at a time from inside city limits and these slots are reserved for community cats that most need it and do not have a home they can return to.

TNR in Winter

While TNR in winter can be trickier, it absolutely can be done! Community cats are accustomed to living outdoors and the temperature fluctuations that come with it, their body temperature is naturally around 101-102.5 degrees and combined with their thick winter coats keeps them nice and warm in the chilly Montana weather. The biggest things to be aware of when it comes to winter TNR is that the weather might not agree with your trapping plans. Extreme weather conditions might be the cause of a last minute rescheduling to ensure the trapping is successful and the cats are able to go back without having to deal with extreme temperatures. Cats trapped in the winter should be placed in a sheltered area out of wind or weather off the cold ground, preferably with the traps covered to provide an additional wind block. After surgery they should be bright eyed and fully awake before releasing and have access to food, water and shelter to allow them to fully recover after being released. Providing a mix of wet and dry food can help with this as the wet food will help hydrate when water sources may be frozen and the dry will provide additional calories to help keep them warm.

Nuisance Mitigation

These and other deterrents can assist with keeping cats out of unwanted areas while ensuring a safe environment.

Cats in the trash cans:

Use bungee cords to secure the tops of trash cans

Natural cat deterrents:

Orange or lemon peels sprinkled around the yard
Use larger gravel to deter the cats from using your garden as a litterbox with the added benefit of blocking weeds

Cats sleeping under your porch:

Provide/ask caregiver to provide alternate housing
Secure the underside with chicken wire (only after ensuring no cats or kittens are under the are)

Cat Scat Mats:

- This product are rolls of spikey material that is flexible and can be used in or outdoors to protect anything like cars to gardens from unwanted cats without causing any harm.
- Available for purchase through this link: Cat scat mats

Ultrasonic Animal Deterrent:

These products can be used in yards or outdoor areas and causes a high pitched whine that people cannot hear but is annoying to wildlife and deters cats from the area they are used in.
Available for purchase through this link: Ultrasonic animal deterrent

Motion activated sprinklers:

These can assist with establishing a perimeter in an outdoor area and will detour cats from the areas affected.
Available for purchase through this link: Motion activated sprinklers