Trap, Neuter, Return in Scott County

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 “Community cat” is a broad term for an unowned cat who lives outdoors. Community cats may be friendly, fearful or completely unsocialized. Some are cared for by one or more people in the neighborhood, while others live independently.

Not every outdoor cat is unowned, so HSSC will ask questions about the cat, where the cat was found and whether anyone may be caring for them to determine TNR eligibility.

Contact the Humane Society of Scott County by completing this form. Be prepared to share:

• Where the cat was found
• How long the cat has been in the area
• Whether the cat appears friendly or can be handled
• Whether anyone is feeding or caring for the cat
• Whether the cat has an ear tip
• Any known injuries or medical concerns
• Whether kittens are present

Our team will review the information, discuss eligibility and explain the next steps.

Yes. Please contact HSSC by completing this form before trapping or bringing in a community cat. Surgery space, intake capacity and program funding may be limited, and we cannot guarantee same-day service or accept cats for TNR services without advance arrangements.

We will help determine whether the cat may qualify and provide instructions for trapping, transportation and intake.

At a minimum, cats participating in the program are required to receive:

• Spay or neuter surgery 
• A rabies vaccination
• An ear tip
• Injectable pain medication

Cats from the City of Davenport also receive:

• A microchip
• An FVRCP vaccination

Additional preventative care may be provided depending on the program, the cat’s needs and available resources. HSSC will explain the services included when your appointment is scheduled. 

The citizen or community caregiver bringing the cat for TNR surgery may also pay to add additional select medical care or treatments.

An ear tip is the universal sign that an outdoor cat has been spayed or neutered through a community cat program. While the cat is under anesthesia, a veterinarian removes a small portion from the tip of the cat’s left ear. Ear-tipping prevents the cat from being unnecessarily trapped or placed under anesthesia again. It is required for cats participating in HSSC’s TNR services.

TNR is intended for unowned cats who live outdoors and can safely be returned to the location where they were found. TNR services are not for owned, pet cats. Please contact a local veterinarian or utilize a low-cost spay/neuter clinic such as QCAWC for owned cats.

Eligibility is determined individually. The cat’s age, health, behavior, location and known ownership or caretaker information may all be considered. Owned pets and cats who cannot safely be returned do not qualify for TNR services.

In most situations, the caretaker or person requesting assistance is responsible for trapping and transporting the cat. Community cats must arrive in a secure humane trap—not loose in someone’s arms or in an unsafe container.

Contact HSSC before trapping. We can provide guidance on safe trapping and let you know whether trap-loan or trapping assistance options are currently available.

 Use a humane live trap that is large enough for a cat. Once the cat is trapped:

• Cover the trap with a towel or sheet to help the cat feel secure.
• Keep the trap in a quiet, temperature-controlled area.
• Keep children and other animals away.
• Do not open the trap or attempt to handle the cat.
• Never leave a set trap unattended for an extended period.
• Transport the cat inside a climate-controlled vehicle.

HSSC will provide feeding and appointment-specific instructions before the scheduled surgery.

Community cats who cannot be safely handled must arrive in a secure humane trap. A trap allows our veterinary team to safely examine, sedate and care for the cat without putting the cat or staff at risk. Do not attempt to transfer a frightened or unsocialized cat from a trap into a carrier.

Do not immediately assume that kittens found alone have been abandoned. Their mother may be nearby looking for food or waiting for people to leave. 

Observe from a far distance unless the kittens are sick, injured or in immediate danger. Contact HSSC at 563-388-6655 and press 2 during business hours before moving them so we can help determine their approximate age, whether their mother is returning and the best plan for the entire family.

Tell HSSC about any known medical concerns before bringing in the cat. A cat who is severely injured, struggling to breathe, unable to stand or experiencing another emergency may need immediate veterinary care instead of a standard TNR appointment.

HSSC’s veterinary team will evaluate cats before, during and immediately after surgery. Treatment options will depend on the cat’s condition, prognosis and available resources. When an animal is suffering and recovery is not reasonably possible, humane euthanasia will occur.

Community cats know their territory, including where to find food, water, shelter and safety. Moving a cat to an unfamiliar area can cause the cat to become lost, injured or killed. It may also separate the cat from an established caretaker or colony.

For these reasons, TNR cats must be returned to their original outdoor location where they were trapped. Relocation should only be considered when returning the cat would create a serious safety concern and a carefully managed alternative placement is available. Relocation must be approved by the Community Cat Coordinator, Animal Shelter Manager, or a Director of the Humane Society of Scott County before relocation occurs. 

You must have permission from the property owner or an authorized resident before placing a trap on private property. Do not trespass or place traps where you cannot safely and regularly monitor them.

If the cats are located on property you do not own, speak with the property owner and HSSC before beginning a trapping project.

Recovery time depends on the cat’s sex, age, health and the veterinarian’s instructions. Cats should recover inside their covered trap in a quiet, dry and temperature-controlled location.

HSSC will provide specific recovery and release instructions when the cat is discharged. Do not release the cat early or keep the cat confined longer than directed without contacting us.

Continue providing food, clean water and appropriate outdoor shelter if you are the cat’s caretaker. Feed on a consistent schedule, remove uneaten food and keep the area clean to avoid attracting wildlife or creating concerns for neighbors.

Continue monitoring the area for new cats. Cats who arrive without an ear tip may also need to be scheduled for TNR.

A good community cat caregiver helps keep cats healthy while also being considerate of neighbors and the surrounding community. Caregivers should:

• Provide fresh water and an appropriate amount of food on a consistent schedule.
• Feed during daylight hours and remove leftover food and dishes.
• Keep feeding areas clean and do not leave food out overnight, as it can attract wildlife and insects.
• Provide clean, weather-appropriate outdoor shelters.
• Make sure every cat in the colony is spayed or neutered, vaccinated and ear-tipped.
• Watch for new cats and arrange TNR services as soon as possible.
• Monitor cats for injuries, illness or significant changes in behavior.
• Keep a simple record of the cats in the colony, including photos, descriptions and known medical care.
• Place feeding stations and shelters in discreet locations away from property lines, busy roads and areas where they may create concerns.
• Communicate respectfully with neighbors and address concerns such as noise, waste or cats entering unwanted areas.

Caring for community cats is an ongoing commitment. HSSC can help caregivers access TNR information, humane deterrent suggestions and other available community resources.