• TNR Application

    Thank you for caring for community cats!  HES offers TNR services in Hamilton County, TN within the areas we are contracted to serve: Unincorporated Hamilton County, Soddy Daisy, Collegedale, and Walden. Note: Our jurisdiction does not include the cities of Chattanooga, Red Bank, Lakesite or East Ridge.

  • What is TNR?

    What is TNR?Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a non-lethal, three-step method to reduce the number of feral and stray cats (community cats) both immediately and in the long term. Step 1 – Trap: Feral or stray cats are trapped using a safe, humane live trap. Step 2 – Neuter: Trapped cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and ear tipped by a veterinarian. Step 3 – Return: Spayed/neutered cats are returned to their home where they have always lived.

  • Benefits to the Community

    TNR helps the community by stabilizing the population of the feral colony and, over time, reduces it. Spayed/neutered cats cease behaviors that instigate complaints by people. Neutered males have no desire to mark their territory, so they stop spraying. Females never go into heat, so the yowling created by mating no longer occurs. Male cats stop fighting because there are no females in heat to fight over, and neutered males have no desire to mate even if a female in heat is in the area. Thepractice of TNR enables feral and outdoor cats to live their lives without adding to the overpopulation of homeless cats.

  • Why is returning cats more beneficial than relocating?

    What happens when cats are not returned to their colony and simply removed from an area is known as the “Vacuum Effect": If an established colony is removed from an area, other cats will simply move into the vacated territory to take advantage of the food sources and shelter there – and the cycle of reproduction and nuisance behavior begins all over again. Cats are territorial, and if dropped off in an unfamiliar place they will try to return to their original territory, making them vulnerable to predators, weather, starvation, and traffic as they wander without established sources of food and shelter.

  • NOTICE: TNR IS ON HOLD
    Nov. 28, 2024 - Dec 31, 2024 (possibly longer)

    HES TNR is currently on hold as we revamp the program so that we can best help our community with the resources we have. We will be in touch regarding your application as soon as the program is back up and running. 

    OTHER COMMUNITY CAT SURGERY RESOURCES AVAILABLE: 

    McKamey Animal Center  

    My Kids Have Paws

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Does the property owner give permission for the cats to remain on the property?*
  • Does the property owner give permission for HES volunteers to trap cats and return the cats to the property?*
  • Does the caretaker provide food and water for the cats every day*
  • Do the cats have shelter from heat, cold, and rain?*
  • Does the caretaker understand that the cats will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and ear-tipped?*
  • Does the caretaker understand that there are risks involved with trapping, transporting, and anesthesia including: injury, escape, and death?*
  • Has there been any trapping done at this site before?*
  • Have you used a live trap before?*
  • Are you willing to trap the cats yourself if you are shown how?*
  • Are you willing to notify neighbors that you will be trapping cats?*
  • Are you able to set up a regular feeding schedule for these cats while trapping?*
  • Are you willing to withhold food from the cats up to 24 hours before setting the traps?*
  • Are you able to help overnight the cats once they have been trapped?*
  • Are you able to help transport the cats to/from HES once they have been trapped?*
  • Are you willing to volunteer for other cat communities?*
  • Should be Empty: