Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR)

The Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) program is a humane and effective method of managing stray and feral cat populations. The idea behind a TNR is to capture unowned cats, spay or neuter them, and then return them to their original location. Here at Brook Farm we participate in the community TNR program, so if you encounter a stray/feral cat, here are some steps to take in order to bring them into our office.

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Step 1: Trapping: The first step is to trap the cats, using only humane traps. Please proceed with caution because these animals are not used to human interaction. They are more scared of us than we are of them. If you need assistance on how to trap the stray we recommend calling Putnam Humane Society.

Step 2: Call: First you’ll need to call Putnam Humane Society at (845) 225-7777 to let them know you have caught a TNR and would like to bring them into Brook Farm Veterinary Center. They will give you further instructions on what needs to be done prior to you bringing the stray(s) into us. After this you will give us a call at (845) 878-4833 and let us know you are going to bring in a TNR and have spoken to the Putnam Humane Society. At Brook Farm Veterinary Center we accept TNR cats at any time throughout our business’s operating hours so long as you’ve contacted Putnam Humane Society first. 

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Step 3: Spaying or Neutering: At Brook Farm Veterinary Center, the cat(s) will be spayed or neutered and of course vaccinated. We treat the TNR cats with the same amount of love and compassion as we do to our daily patients.  We continue using the best safety measures, low stress handling and always offer a very welcoming environment.  Our team only perform surgical procedures on Thursdays so you can bring in the TNR cat(s) whenever you are able to trap them and we offer to hold them at our facility in our feline lodging area until we can perform their spay or neuter procedure.  Once the surgery has been completed and the cat is in recovery,  we will give you a call to set up discharge.

Step 4: Recovery: After surgery, the TNR cats are typically kept at the clinic for the day so we can monitor them.  During this time, they are given lots of love and attention, pain medication, food, and water. At this point you should have received a call from a member of our team to schedule your pick up time. 

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Step 5: Return: Once you have picked up the cat from our facility, you are to return the cat to their original location. This is an important step in the TNR process because it allows these cats to resume their natural role in our ecosystem.  By doing their spay or neuter procedure and returning them back into their natural habitat we’re helping reduce reproduction and helping to reduce the overpopulation of strays in our local community. 

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TNR has been shown to be an effective way to manage stray cat populations. Studies have found that TNR reduces the number of cats in a given area over time, while also improving the overall health, and well-being of the cats. TNR also reduces the number of cats that are euthanized in animal shelters, since fewer cats are brought in due to overpopulation.

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