Make a veterinarian appointment before you trap a cat. Make sure a female cat does not have kittens that she is feeding. 

 Supplies: 

• If the cat is very feral and not trusting at all, obtain humane traps suitable for trapping feral cats. The traps should open on both ends to make it easier for the vet to access the cat. Another option if the cat is somewhat friendly is to use a medium to large sized dog carrier and quietly close the door while the cat is inside eating. 
• Before you trap, put a bowl of water into the trap. Make sure this bowl stays full the whole time the cat is in the trap. Prior to trapping place a blanket over the sides of the trap (cats like enclosed, dark places.) When the cat is trapped, cover the front of the trap with the blanket (this will calm the cat down.) 

Trapping: 

• Set up traps in locations where feral cats are frequently seen. Putting the trap near a structure that they are used to will help to make the cat more comfortable and more likely to go into the trap. Bait traps with food attractive to cats (wet cat food or tuna, sardines) by placing the food in front of the trap for a couple of days, then in the back of the trap so the cat steps on the footplate that triggers the trap door to close. 
• IMPORTANT: Monitor traps regularly to ensure captured cats are not left for extended periods inside the trap. A cat could hurt itself trying to get out. Going without water and food can be dangerous for the cat's health. If the cat is in the trap overnight, place in a dry warm location. 
• The day or afternoon before the vet appointment, you can feed and give water to the cat. The cat should not eat the night before surgery. With scared, terrified feral cats, do not try to open the trap - cats are amazingly quick and strong and they will escape! Try to get food into the trap through the slots; fill the bowl with water from the top or side of the trap. An isolator is a helpful tool that looks like a large pick or comb. The isolator is inserted into the top or side of a trap or cage to guide the cat into a small portion of the trap. This is important when you need to clean the trap while the cat is still in it, and for veterinarians to administer anesthesia before spay or neuter surgery. Using more than one comb can help you move the cat into the exact spot you need her and keep her in place.

Transport to Veterinary Clinic: 

• Once a cat is trapped, make sure it has not been “ear-tipped.” A tipped left ear means the cat has already been spay/neutered. This cat can go into the vet to be vaccinated and checked. Transporting in the trap ensures the cat will not escape; you may want to put ties on the doors to ensure they do not open. 
•  Ensure careful handling and transportation to minimize stress on the cat. Cover the trap with a blanket. 

Spaying/Neutering and Vaccinations: 

• At the veterinary clinic, the cat will undergo spaying or neutering surgery. Feral cats should be vaccinated against common diseases, such as rabies. Ask the vet what vaccinations are important for ferals or colony cats. 
• Ear Tipping: During the spaying/neutering procedure, a small portion of the cat's left ear is typically removed (ear tipping) under anesthesia. Ear tipping is a visual marker indicating that the cat has been sterilized. 

Recovery and Post-Operative Care: 

• Allow the cat to recover from anesthesia in a warm and quiet area. Females may need 1-2 days for recovery. Males are usually able to be set free the night of surgery. Provide food, water, and shelter as needed during the recovery period. Watch for lethargy or other signs that the cat may be in post surgical distress.

Return to Original Location: 

• IMPORTANT: Release the cat in the same area to maintain its territory and social structure. Releasing a cat elsewhere is very stressful to a cat; they lose their food sources and their community of other cats. 

Monitoring and Continued Care: 

• If possible, provide ongoing care, such as food and shelter, to support the cats in their neighborhood or colony while preventing new litters through spay/neutering. When a feral cat is spay/neutered, they often become much nicer and are often adoptable, making really friendly pets. 

Community Education: 

• If possible, educate your local community about the benefits of TNR for managing feral cat populations in a humane and effective manner. Encourage responsible pet ownership (spay/neutering, vaccinations) and discourage abandonment of cats.