What are feral cats?

• homeless cats who are largely outdoor cats
• minimal contact and socialization with people
• not likely to become companion animals
• kittens of feral cats may become socialized

Scheduling a TNR Appointment

We book appointments for TNR cats to a maximum of two cats per day, five cats a week Monday to Friday. Please call 780-229-2945 or email operations@edmontonhumanesociety.com to schedule an appointment.

*PLEASE NOTE: Our Trap-Neuter-Return program has closed for the remainder of the winter season, and will re-open in the spring of 2019. 

Feral cats must reside outside of the City of Edmonton limits to be eligible for this program. For feral cats inside the city of Edmonton, call 3-1-1 to speak with them about options.

What is included in the TNR surgery Appointment

• Spay/Neuter Surgery
• Tattoo
• Microchip
• Ear-Tip Identification
• Long-acting antibiotic injection
• Vaccines
• Deworming if needed

Cost: This program is free, but donations to EHS are always appreciated to help offset the cost.

FAQ for TNR Program

Does this program run year-round? No. We open the program during the warm months. This date changes every year depending on the weather, usually we try to open the program up again at the end of March. If the colony caregiver is able to keep the cats indoors in a heated area for 5-7 days post-surgery, we may be able to accept TNR cats during the winter.

Do I need to make an appointment, or can we just bring the cats to you and pick them up after it is done? We book appointments for TNR cats to a maximum of two cats per day, five days a week Monday to Friday. Drop-off for appointments is between 8 and 9 AM. Pick-up for the cats is the same day between 5 and 6 PM. Please email us at operations@edmontonhumanesociety.com or call 780-229-2945 to book an appointment.

Any suggestions on how to best trap feral cats? Is there a procedure you recommend for before and after they are spayed/neutered? Trapping cats is best done by using humane cat traps, food, and blankets. The procedure in the spring/summer/fall is to release them post-surgery to the area they were found. In the winter recovery indoors for five to seven days is needed due to the harsh Alberta winters. See this video on a detailed process on TNR.

How do I know if the cat is feral or a stray? To determine if the cats are feral, check this resource. If our staff are unable to hold or handle them, they would be deemed feral.

How much does it cost to participate in TNR? This program is free, but donations to EHS are always appreciated to help offset the cost.

Do I have to bring the cat in a humane trap for the appointment? Yes, this protects the feline and the staff from harm and potential injuries. Humane traps can be rented from your local animal control agency.