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Pet Services

Trap Neuter Return (TNR)

Please note that our Trap Neuter Return services are closed on the following dates. On the day prior to a closure all TNR drop-offs must occur before 10:00am. TNR is not available on the weekends.

September 4th

September 28th

September 29th

October 9th

October 12th

October 18th

October 19th

October 27th 

Supporting Community Cats in the Greater Toronto Area

As a member of the Toronto Feral Cat Coalition, we are committed to offering support for the city’s and surrounding cities’ community cat populations and their colony caretakers. 

Left unattended to, community cat populations can balloon out of control. Without population management, populations could grow by 18-20% per year. There are also many health benefits to animals who undergo spay/neuter surgery. It reduces or removes the risk of disease, infection, and cancer of the animal’s reproductive system. Spayed and neutered animals have also been proven to live longer lives. The biggest reason for reducing nationwide shelter intake and euthanasia over the past 15 years has been TNR and effective management of community cat populations. In fact, a recent study we completed determined that there is a strong correlation between an increase in TNR and a decrease in stray intake. Our Trap Neuter Return Program contributes to these efforts.  

In partnership with volunteer colony caretakers we perform spay and neuter surgeries on homeless community cats. These cats are later returned to their colony by the caretakers in a collaborative effort to continue our work on effective community cat management. As part of the appointments, we also give the cats appropriate vaccines and a microchip to improve their health and safety.

Through Trap Neuter Return, we ensure that community cats are given the necessary supports to improve their wellness so they can live whole and healthy lives.

As we are not a city-run program, this service is provided by our Public Veterinary Services team free of charge to caretakers and is funded by our clinic income and generous supporters in the community.

 To learn how to support community cat management and become a caretaker please see the “Trap-Neuter-Return: How to Manage a Feral Cat Colony” course offered through Community Cats Toronto. Please visit their website for upcoming course dates and registration

Spay/Neuter Services for Free Roaming Community Cats

*We are continuing to conduct Trap Neuter Return appointments Monday through Friday, during our regular 9:00 am – 5:00 pm operational hours. 

Clinic Hours of Operation:

*Daily Drop-off: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Pick-up times will be provided upon drop-off by one of our clinic team members.

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UPCOMING CLOSURES:

Please refer to our Calendar of Events Page.

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*Drop-off must be completed by the colony caretaker in order to gain consent, fill out surgical authorization forms, and ensure the animals will be returned to where they came. Pick-up can be arranged in advance with another colony caretaker.

Process:

  • All TNR surgeries will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis, walk-in only.
  • Toronto Humane Society is committed to providing four (4) free TNR appointments every operational clinic day.
  • We request that individual colony caretakers bring no more than two animals per clinic day so we can accommodate as many caretakers as possible.
  • Should more than four TNR appointments arrive on any given day, procedures may need to be completed on the following day and have a delayed pick-up time.
  • Free Roaming Community Cats must arrive in traps. Read about the type of traps that are accepted for TNR.
  • All felines will be: Sterilized (spayed/neutered), microchipped, ear-tipped (left ear), given a small green tattoo near the incision area, vaccinated (for rabies & FVRCP), and given a dose of Revolution (killing fleas and some intestinal worms). All procedures must be performed in order to receive free service.
  • All felines must be over 1 kg weight, and must be returned to their colony post recovery.
  • All felines should be over the age of 12 weeks (kittens less than 12 weeks old are good candidates for socialization and adoption; please speak with our Pet Parent Support Team).
  • Health Considerations: Surgery is very hard on animals who are not 100% healthy. Our veterinarians will inform you if your colony cat is too ill to have surgery performed. Sick animals may receive an injection of a long-acting antibiotic. Pregnant animals can be spayed as long as they are not in active labour.
  • Note: Any cats with ingrown nails will have those trimmed to prevent problems. Other nails will be left intact for the animal’s defense.
  • Please connect with our Pet Parent Support Team if you have friendly cats/kittens that you would like admitted to our adoption program.
  • In agreement with the Toronto Feral Cat Coalition, all community cats who are found to be already spayed/neutered (and microchipped) when brought in for TNR service will be sent back with the most recent colony caretaker to be returned to the newest colony location. We hope that all colony caretakers understand that these animals are not “owned” and have the freedom to migrate to other colonies for a variety of reasons, but ultimately for the best interest of the individual cat.
  • After each TNR surgery, the colony caretaker will need to follow some instructions. Please click here for post-operative (after surgery) information.

Clinic Location

Clinic Location

Public Veterinary Services are provided through our clinic at 11 River Street in the east end of downtown Toronto. Please make your way to the bright green door towards the back of the building at the top of the ramp (our North-East corner).

Parking is available in the visitors’ parking lot behind the building (spaces are limited), or temporarily on the loading ramp during intake and discharge hours only. Please do not block any garbage/recycling bins or fire routes for both Toronto Humane Society’s facility and neighbouring condo/townhome complexes.

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