White community cat in a humane trap surrounded by garden plants
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Community Cats

Helping outdoor cats through Trap-Neuter-Return-Maintain (TNRM)

ðŸą Volunteer to Help Community Cats! PALS coordinates trapping, transport, and staging for community cats. We loan traps to volunteers and schedule clinic slots. Sign Up on SignUpGenius

What is Trap-Neuter-Return-Maintain?

Trap-Neuter-Return-Maintain (TNRM) is the most humane and effective approach to managing community cat populations. Here's how it works:

  • Trap — Humanely trap community cats using Tru Catch traps
  • Neuter — Spay/neuter, vaccinate, and ear-tip at a PALS clinic
  • Return — Return healthy cats to their outdoor home
  • Maintain — Ongoing colony care, monitoring, and feeding

Ear tipping (removing the tip of the left ear) is the universal sign that a cat has been fixed and vaccinated.

TNR Scheduling & Details

🍞 Found Kittens?

Spring into Action for Kittens

Kitten season peaks in spring and summer. If you find kittens, here's what to do:

  • If kittens are with their mother and safe — leave them with mom
  • If kittens appear orphaned or in danger — contact PALS or a local rescue
  • Kittens can get pregnant at just 4 months old — don't wait to get them fixed!
🏚ïļ Barn Cat Program Looking for working cats for a barn, warehouse, or rural property? Adopt barn cats from San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter. Email: animalrescue@sanmarcostx.gov

Learn How to Trap

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Trapping Guide

Step-by-step guide to humane cat trapping for first-timers and experienced trappers.

View Resources →
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Trapping Video

Watch a video walkthrough of the trapping process, from setup to transport.

Watch Video →
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Borrow a Trap

PALS loans Tru Catch traps to community members. Schedule trap pickup after reserving your clinic slot.

Schedule Trap Loan

PALS Policy on FIV Testing

PALS does not test community cats for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). FIV-positive cats can live long, healthy, happy lives. FIV is not easily transmitted between cats in normal circumstances and should not be a barrier to spay/neuter or colony management.

"With PALS' help, I trapped and rehomed 13 kittens from the colony in my neighborhood. I never thought I could do it — but the PALS team walked me through every step."

— Chris, San Marcos TX

Ready to Help Community Cats?

Sign up for a TNR clinic slot or borrow a trap through SignUpGenius.

TNR Info & Sign Up