TNVR Community Cat Program

Sumter County Animal Services (SCAS) offers a Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) program to help manage the population of free-roaming cats in our community. This humane approach improves the lives of cats while reducing nuisance behaviors and preventing future litters.

Preferred Drop-Off Days

Our preferred days for dropping off feral or community cats for TNVR are:

• Sundays
• Mondays

These days allow our staff and veterinary partners to provide timely services and reduce wait times.

Trap Loan Program

SCAS offers a 14-day trap loan program to assist residents in humanely capturing community cats.

• Traps may be borrowed for up to 14 days.
• Typically, only one cat can be trapped at a time, which may make this a slower option for large colonies.
• Please plan accordingly if you are attempting to TNVR multiple cats.

After-Hours Policy

• SCAS does not pick up trapped cats after hours or on holidays.
• If you trap a cat during these times, you are responsible for safely housing the cat until the shelter reopens.

Definition of a Feral Animal

As defined in Chapter 4 of the Sumter County Animal Code:

Feral animal means any wild domestic animal, whether it was born in the wild or reverted to a wild state due to abandonment or lack of domestication. Evidence of the feral nature of an animal includes but is not limited to a lack of any identifying mark, such as a collar, tag, tattoo or notched ear, and the indication of extreme fear, hysteria or aggression consistent with the characteristics of a wild animal in captivity.

This definition guides our staff in identifying and treating cats appropriately under the TNVR program.

Why TNVR Matters

• Improves welfare: Cats are healthier and no longer reproduce.
• Reduces shelter intake: Fewer kittens are brought to the shelter.
• Supports the community: TNVR decreases nuisance behaviors such as yowling, spraying, and fighting.

How to Participate

1. Borrow a trap from SCAS (14-day loan).
2. Trap cats, ideally on Sundays or Mondays.
3. Bring cats to SCAS for TNVR processing.
4. We return the cats to their original outdoor location after recovery.