Community Cat Initiative

TNR Program (Trap-Neuter-Return)

The Community Cat Initiative (CCI) is a program that works with individuals to spay and neuter community cats in Columbus on a regular basis in an effort to help our feral friends and slow the overpopulation. This program is only for cats you are intending to return to the community, not for pet cats. If you are looking for services for adoptable pet cats, please contact our Animal Support Center.

What Are Community Cats?

“Community cat” is an umbrella term that refers to any member of the feline species who is unowned and lives outdoors. Both feral and stray cats are community cats. Feral, stray, and pet cats are all members of the same species; they are all domestic cats. But stray cats and feral cats are also different from each other in a very important way—in their relationship to and interactions with people. Community cats are unsocialized and tend to be fearful of people. Community cats are most often found living outdoors in colonies. The cats in a colony share a common food source and territory and may include not only feral, but also stray cats. Most feral colonies originate from unneutered stray cats.

What is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Programming?

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the humane approach to addressing community cat populations. It saves cats’ lives and is effective in reducing overpopulation. TNR improves the lives of cats, addresses community concerns, reduces complaints about cats, and stops the breeding cycle. TNR improves the co-existence between outdoor cats and humans in our shared environment. TNR programming is crucial to improving the lives of cats and people in our community.

Process and Drop-Off

The Community Cat Initiative is held every Friday and serves 35 cats per week. CCI is offered to any resident in Franklin County, no rescue affiliation required. On the day of your appointment, plan to arrive at Columbus Humane during surgery drop off hours between 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM. Please note, there may be a wait time up to 20 minutes due to payment collection and paperwork. Payment will be due at time of drop-off, we accept cash, check, and cards.

Fee: $25.00 for spay/neuter, rabies, and ear tip
- Vaccination, flea/tick/tapeworm prevention, and ear mite treatment is available for an additional $5.00 each. We can only perform these add-on services for cats coming in to be spayed/neutered.
By appointment only, no walk-ins.
Drop-off on your scheduled day at the side of the building through the Animal Support Center.
All cats must be brought in a trap, regardless of their temperament.
Ensure each cat has a CCI Surgical Authorization Form completed and signed before you leave.

Sign-up at the button below and please sign-up one cat per time slot. Please limit the number of cats you bring to no more than 8 cats per person.

There are resources on post-surgical instructions, Guidelines for Caregivers and Surgical Authorization form. Review those forms for more information ahead of your appointment. You can download and print these in advance or they will be provided to you at Columbus Humane.

Pick-up and Post-Op Information

Friday pick-up is between the hours of 4:30 and 5:00 PM.
Caretakers will be provided with medical records for each cat.
Cats should remain confined in their trap overnight before release the morning after surgery.
Canned food should be provided overnight.
Recover the cats indoors or in a temperature-controlled space and cover the trap with a lightweight cover.
Check on the cats periodically throughout the night.

Schedule