Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return for Community Cats

Related FAQs

• How does the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) work?

  Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return involves humanely trapping community cats from their street colony, transporting them to an Animal Services clinic or participating veterinarian for sterilization, vaccination and ear tip marking after which the cats are returned to the area they were picked up. 

  1. Visit the Animal Services Pet Adoption Center to borrow humane animal traps, or you may use your own. Service is for Miami Dade County residents only.
  2. Cats trapped by residents may be brought to Animal Services for TNVR at the

  • Pet Adoption and Protection Center in Doral
    3599 NW 79th Avenue
    Doral, Florida 33122
    Monday - Friday between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. or on Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Pets Thrive in 305 Community Cat Center in Cutler Bay
    10700 SW 211th Street
    Cutler Bay, FL 33189
    Tuesday - Friday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Closed noon - 1 p.m.

  No appointment is required at either location. Services are provided on a walk-in basis only.

  3. Cats must be brought in a separate carrier or trap and should be covered with a sheet or towel to help keep them calm

  4. Cats will be sterilized, vaccinated and ear-tipped 

  5. You will be provided a time to pick the cat up after surgery. If you cannot pick up the cat or cats, they will be delivered back to the community where they came from.

  6. There is no limit to the number of community cats per person to bring for the service.

  7. You can also take the cats for TNVR services to our partnering veterinary offices

   

• How do I get rid of cats in my neighborhood?

  The most effective way to control the population of un-owned neighborhood cats is through our free Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return or TNVR program. TNVR stops mating behaviors and ensures no new kittens are born. 

  Through the TNVR program, community cats are humanely trapped and brought to Animal Services to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped (the universal sign that a cat is part of a TNR program), and then returned to their outdoor homes. 
   

  1. You can pick up a humane animal trap at Animal Services Pet Adoption Center for free.
  2. Cat traps can be collected and must be returned within ten (10) days. Extensions may be granted on a case by case basis.  Send an email to [email protected] to request an extension..
  3. You will need to provide a valid driver's license and sign one release form per cat.
  4. Cats may be presented for at the Animal Services Pets Thrive in 305 Community Cat Center at 10700 SW 211th Street, Cutler Bay, 33189 on Tuesday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. or at Animal Services Pet Adoption and Protection Center at 3599 NW 79th Avenue, Doral, FL 33122 on Monday - Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Saturdays - Sundays 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment is required.
  5. Cats must be at least 2 months and weight 1.5 pounds.
  6. Cats need to be brought in in a separate carrier.
  7. You will be provided a time to pick the cat up after surgery. If you cannot pick-up the cat or cats, they will be delivered back to the community they came from.
  8. There is no limit to the number of community cats per person.
  9. You can also take the cats for TNVR to our partnering veterinary offices.  

  Poisoning, drowning, relocating or abandoning an animal is cruelty and a misdemeanor of the first degree. Anyone convicted of animal cruelty is subject to fines of up to $5,000 and up to 5 years in prison.

• How do I get a cat trap?

  Cat trap rental is suspended until further notice.

  Residents can request a trap from Animal Services through the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) program. Cat traps are available free of charge but require a $50.00 refundable deposit and may picked up and returned to the Pet Adoption and Protection Center. Cat traps must be returned within ten days and are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

• How do I get a dog trap?

  Animal Services does not provide dog traps to the public. 

  Animal Control Officers may decide to set up a trap if they are unable to catch a stray dog. If the officer places the trap to capture an animal and you are present when the trap is placed, you can be trained on how to re-set the trap if it gets locked without the animal inside.

  If you decide to purchase a dog trap, you are responsible for the humane capture and care of the animal or you can report the stray.

• What is the best way to humanely trap a cat for TNVR?

  Below are a few tips on trapping community cats.

  1. You may have more success trapping if you withhold food 24-36 hours prior to trapping and then trap at the usual feeding times.
  2. Place a thin layer of paper in the trap if the wind is not too strong to move the paper around.
  3. Place the bait, usually canned cat food or tuna fish, into the far back of the cage and secure the door with the clip.
  4. Place the cage in an area where stray cats are often observed.
  5. Place the cage on a level surface. If placing on grass and soil, make sure the door will close completely.
  6. After setting the cage, it may be helpful to place a sheet or pillow case over the cage
  7. Remove yourself from the immediate area.
  8. Check the cage as often as possible. It is not recommended to leave the traps unobserved for any length of time.
  9. After the cat has been caught, completely cover the cage with a sheet or a large pillow case. This helps to calm the cat.
  10. Do not allow children or pets near the cage.
  11. Place the cat in a protected area where the elements will not harm the cat and transport it to Miami-Dade Animal Services as soon as possible.
  12. When transporting the cat in a car, place a trash bag or tarp under the cage. Keep the cage covered. Do not transport the cat in the closed trunk of the car or in the back of an open pick-up truck