Trap-Neuter-Return

The Bitty Kitty Brigade provides care for orphaned neonatal kittens and partners with animal rescue organizations and impound facilities to improve survival rates within the neonatal kitten population. We recognize that as part of our work, we must also address where these kittens come from. That’s why we’ve launched the Birth Control Brigade. Our team of dedicated volunteers assist community members/colony caretakers with the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) process to sterilize community cats, improving their lives and ending the reproductive cycle that leads to kittens being orphaned or surrendered to shelters.

How it works

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a safe and humane approach to sterilizing community cats, ending the breeding cycle, and reducing the population of feral cats. The Birth Control Brigade works with community members/colony caretakers to humanely trap community cats, and partners with local spay/neuter programs like Animal Humane Society (AHS), MN SNAP and Purple Cat Vet to sterilize them. Cats and kittens with the potential for rehoming are made adoptable through other organizations, and the remaining cats are returned to their original site to continue their lives without the constant pressures of mating and pregnancy.

How this helps community cats

The continuous cycle of mating and pregnancy is stressful! Female cats can have up to five litters of an average of four kittens each year — potentially 50 to 150 kittens in a lifetime! TNR puts an end to that cycle and also curbs the unwanted behaviors that accompany mating, like roaming, yowling, spraying, and fighting. 

Learn more about the benefits of TNR here. 

How you can get involved

Volunteer – We’re always looking for volunteers to help with trapping, transport, holding care, and equipment sanitization. Email tnr@bittykittybrigade.org to learn more.

Donate – It costs a minimum of $75 just for the surgery of each cat we trap. Flea meds, vaccines, emergency medical care and trapping supplies add to those expenses. We rely on community funding to be able to help manage the community cats!

View our supply wish list on Amazon – Order from our wishlist to have items shipped directly to us.

Trapping & TNR Resources

Organizations that Offer TNR Sterilization

  • Animal Humane Society (Golden Valley, Coon Rapids, Woodbury): $75 – includes sterilization, ear-tipping, rabies and FVPRC/distemper vaccines, pain medication, and ear tip
  • Purple Cat Vet (Baldwin, WI): $70 (+$20-30/female if pregnant) – includes sterilization, rabies and FVRCP/distemper vaccines, pain medication, and ear tip
    • Additional services: Flea treatment and ear mite prevention (selamectin) – $15
  • MN SNAP (Minneapolis): $100/male, $120/female – includes sterilization, rabies vaccination, pain medication, and ear tip
    • Additional services: Topical flea/ear mite/tick treatment – $20, Injectable tapeworm medication – $10
  • Twin Ports Spay/Neuter (Duluth): $75 – includes sterilization, rabies vaccine, pain medication, and ear tip.

About Trapping

Alley Cat Allies has great information regarding catching and helping the feline you’ve found. 

Traps

We suggest calling your local animal shelter to see if they have traps you can rent or borrow. In the Twin Cities and surrounding areas, traps can be checked out at MNSNAP or Animal Humane Society locations.

  • MNSNAP – has over a couple dozen traps for loan. Traps are first come, first served. A $75 check deposit is required for EACH trap. Once the traps are returned, your check will be returned to you. Traps can only be used for cats getting services from MNSNAP
  • AHS – will loan out 1-3 traps if available. Traps are first come, first served. Maximum of 3 traps can be borrowed at a time. During peak periods, AHS will only loan out 1-2 traps if available. They require photo ID with phone number for their logs. Traps are to be returned within two weeks or a reasonable time period depending on time of year.

To find people who can trap or can help with advice:

Area Groups Offering TNR Assistance