TNVR stands for trap, neuter, vaccinate, return. One goal of the program is to limit the number of community cats through sterilization.

BROOKSVILLE – Hernando County Animal Services, in partnership with PetLuv Spay and Neuter Clinic and the Humane Society of the Nature Coast, has begun a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return program for the county’s feral, or community, cats.

This catch and release program for feral and community cats complies with Florida Statute and has three primary objectives:

• Control the cat population through sterilization.
• Prevent the spread of rabies through vaccination.
• Minimize euthanasia.

Many residents care for feral and community cats by providing food and water, which used to be a violation of county ordinance. Recently, this ordinance was amended allowing residents to care for the cats provided they are actively participating in the TNVR program.

How the TNVR program works:

Cats that have no identified caregiver will be impounded by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Animal Enforcement Unit and taken to HCAS. HCAS will check the animal for identification. If none is found via affixed county license or microchip, that cat will then be processed. After being processed, cats will either be returned to their original location, held by HCAS and placed out for adoption or released to a rescue organization.

Cats suffering from disease, injury, that present a public health risk, or are otherwise unsuitable for return to their original location may be euthanized as determined by the county veterinarian. The TNVR cats will be returned to the field by volunteers from HCAS, the Human Society of the Nature Coast and PetLuv.

Cats processed through the TNVR program will be identified by having the top of their left ear tipped, removing about an inch of the ear tip. This is the universal sign of a TNVR cat. No cats will be processed without ear tipping.

To participate in the TNVR program, contact PetLuv at (352) 799-9990 to have the cats sterilized. The cost is $20 per cat, which includes spay/neuter, the administration of flea and internal parasitic medication, ear cleaning and ear tipping. These services are provided by appointment only.

Further instructions will be provided by PetLuv at that time. Those who need help with the spay/neuter fee can call Compassion Spay/Neuter Inc. at (727) 515-9635 for information.

Participants may rent traps at HCAS,19450 Oliver St. in Brooksville. The standard rental fee is $50 with $25 refunded upon return of the trap. Contact HCAS Manager James Terry at (352) 754-5893 for information.

Hernando County | Animal Control | TNVR | Feral Cats | Community Cats | Tampabay News

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