Trap–Neuter–Return and Return-to-Field Programs for Managing Community Cats at Florida Animal Shelters

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which Florida shelters utilize community cat programs for traditional trap–neuter–return (TNR), in which the original intent was to return the cat to its neighborhood following spay/neuter and return-to-field (RTF), in which return to the neighborhood was deemed the most appropriate outcome after a cat’s admission to the shelter as a free-roaming stray. Methods: Florida animal shelters admitting 200 or more cats in 2019 were surveyed on practices related to the management of community cats. Results were correlated with cat admission and outcome data and rural versus urban locations. Results: Surveys were received from 110 of the 116 animal shelters admitting 200 or more cats in 2019 (95% response rate), of which 58 shelters (53%) performed TNR (55 shelters; 50%) and/or RTF (33; 30%). Shelter-based programs were available in 31 of 35 (89%) urban counties surveyed compared to only seven of 21 (33%) rural counties where cat shelter admissions and euthanasia rates were higher (P < 0.0001). TNR/RTF programs were more common in shelters admitting higher numbers of cats and reporting higher live outcome rates for cats. Shelters commonly collaborated with other organizations and volunteers to carry out the programs, including for transporting cats to and from the field, performing spay/neuter surgery, and funding surgery costs. TNR/RTF programs provided rabies vaccination (100% of TNR and RTF programs), feline panleukopenia virus, herpesvirus and calicivirus vaccination (80% TNR; 88% RTF), FeLV testing (44% TNR; 41% RTF), FIV testing (43% TNR; 41% RTF), internal parasite control (56% TNR; 84% RTF), external parasite control (76% TNR; 88% RTF), treatment of illnesses/injuries (91% TNR; 97% RTF), and humane euthanasia (85% TNR; 88% RTF). Conclusion: Shelters using the option of TNR and/or RTF programs for community cats had higher live outcome rates for cats than shelters without such programs. Expansion of shelter-based TNR/RTF programs in conjunction with community-based programs to support pet retention and to increase access to veterinary care are opportunities to reduce unnecessary admission and euthanasia of cats in shelters and deaths of kittens born in the wild. Regional collaborations between urban organizations where programs are well established and supported by community engagement could be expanded to support neighboring rural communities where resources are scarce, thereby creating a statewide safety net, not only for community cats but for all cats and dogs.