Cats and kittens that are homeless or born into the wild, and lack human socialization, are referred to as feral or community cats. Although some kittens have the potential to be rescued and rehabilitated if they are found within the first few weeks of life, the majority of adult feral cats are difficult or impossible to domesticate.
Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) reduces and stabilizes populations of community cats. TNR is a three step process:
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community cats are humanely trapped (with box traps),
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taken to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear tipped (the universal sign that a community cat has been neutered and vaccinated), and
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then returned to their outdoor home.
