A community cat is any unowned, free-roaming cat, whether feral or stray. Feral cats are unsocialized to humans and prefer to live outdoors, while stray cats may be friendly but have no known owner. TNVR helps both types of cats by preventing overpopulation and giving them the best chance at a safe, healthy life.

Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) is the most humane and effective way to manage and protect community cats. TNVR involves humanely trapping free-roaming cats, having them spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and ear-tipped, then returning them to their outdoor home where they thrive.

Ear-tipping is a painless procedure done while a cat is under anesthesia for spay/neuter surgery. It involves the removal of a small portion of the left ear to signal that the cat has been sterilized and vaccinated. This simple mark protects cats by ensuring they won’t be trapped and taken to a shelter unnecessarily.

Because feral cats are not socialized to humans, they are not adoptable as pets. Most shelters rely on adoptions to save lives, and feral cats are not candidates for adoption. Sadly, this means feral cats brought to shelters are often euthanized. Stray cats, on the other hand, may be socialized and could enter adoption programs.

Relocation should only be considered as a last resort. Cats are highly territorial and will try to return to their original home, putting them at risk. The best place for a healthy community cat is the area they know. If relocation is absolutely necessary, it must be done carefully to ensure the cat’s safety. Visit Alley Cat Allies for guidance on humane relocation.

While we provide guidance and resources for TNVR, we do not have the capacity to assist with trapping and transportation. However, we can help connect you with local resources to get started.

Kittens born to community cats may be eligible for adoption if they are socialized at a young age. The ideal window for socializing kittens is between 6 and 12 weeks old. If a kitten is older than 12 weeks and unsocialized, TNVR is the best option to ensure they can live safely in their familiar outdoor home.

If you find a community cat that is severely injured or suffering, contact Animal Control or take them to the county shelter. For treatable injuries, you may be able to trap the cat and bring them to a veterinarian for care. While there is no free full-service veterinary clinic in Wake County, some vets offer “Good Samaritan” discounts for those helping stray and feral cats.

If you are bringing a feral cat to a vet, be sure to transport them in a humane trap.

Registering your colony helps ensure the safety of your community cats. If one of your ear-tipped cats is trapped and brought to the Wake County Animal Center, TNVR Wake can notify you and work to return the cat to its home.

Your colony’s information is kept in a confidential database and will never be shared without your written consent. Only general data (such as zip codes or the number of cats) may be used for statistics or securing funding for life-saving cat programs.

If your spayed/neutered, ear-tipped cat is taken to the Wake County Animal Center, you may be able to reclaim them during business hours. You’ll need proof of ownership, such as a spay/neuter record, a Rabies certificate, or a photo of the cat. If you don’t have proof, you may need to wait until the stray hold period expires before reclaiming them. TNVR Wake can assist you in this process—just call the hotline 919-283-9757.

In some cases, the county may require you to relocate the cat before release. If relocation is necessary, it’s important to have a plan in place beforehand.

If your cat doesn’t have proof of a current Rabies vaccination, a $5 fee covers the cost of vaccination before they leave the shelter.