TNR in Volusia County - explained
The term TNR comes up frequently in animal rescue circles but not everyone has heard of it. TNR stands for “Trap, Neuter, Return”, or “Trap, Neuter, Release”. It is the practice of trapping feral, or free roaming cats and having them spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and then released back into their colony. Upon return, they have a small ‘tip’ cut out of their ear which identifies them as part of a protected colony. Whether people love or hate cats, this practice WORKS.
Feral, or free roaming cats, when not ‘fixed’ can become nuisances especially when breeding. They mark their territory and become noisy and this is when business owners or individuals start getting upset. It costs our cities a lot of money to impound and euthanize these animals (far more than neutering and returning them).
Taking them away and euthanizing them however, is not the solution as this creates what is known as a ‘vacuum effect’ where other cat’s just move into the area, and the problem starts up again. Relocating also is not an option as the cats will roam miles to return back to their ‘home’, often crossing busy roads which leads to accidents. When cats are trapped and neutered the breeding and nuisance behavior stops, the numbers stop growing and eventually the population declines. It is much more cost effective to trap, neuter, and release a cat, than it is to impound and euthanize it. The bottom line is, animals do not need to die when we have a humane solution called TNR that has been proven to work and save money!
TNR Contact Information By City
Below is contact information for the cities who have adopted TNR Programs. These programs provide funding for cat spaying and neutering, vaccinations, (rabies and distemper) and ear tipping for identification at NO cost to you. Please contact them directly to sign up for the program as information is constantly changing. Please know if you live in the Unincorporated part of Volusia County then you need to contact that number located below.
Who traps the cats? We teach YOU how to trap a stray or feral cat(s). It is very easy and there are many YouTube videos on the subject. We also can loan you a few traps (each trap is a $20 dollar deposit that you get back once the trap is returned). Please don't wait for someone else to come help as most times, your issue will only get worse as mom cats can have 3 litters a year! We are a great contact to help you along in the process as we are fast communicators. Unfortunately with so many people needing help daily, we simply cannot do it all, but with education and helping you along, we can help so many more animals! Please know that a few cities can help with transporting of the cats in a metal trap. Port Orange will pick up the cat in the trap from your home and so will Daytona Beach Animal Control (depending on staffing issues).
QUICK and Easy method to trap a cat: One quick and easy method to trapping a feral or stray cat is to use the metal trap as a feeding station. You can zip tie this trap in the OPEN position, and ONLY feed inside this trap. Then once you have an appointment, you set the trap like normal, removing the zip tie, and BAM- you got your kitty easily. For more Trap Neuter Return TIPS and helpful guidelines CLICK HERE!
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VOLUSIA COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES
UPDATE as of 7/7/2023: Only individuals located in the unincorporated parts of Volusia County can get cats fixed AT NO cost through Volusia County Animal Services. Please call directly with further questions.
(GRANT HAS NOW RUN OUT for any cat to get fixed on Tuesdays for areas outside of Unincorporated parts of Volusia County) : CATS IN A METAL TRAP: Volusia County Animal Services is fixing cats that come in their own METAL TRAP at NO COST to you on Tuesdays. NO appointment is required. You can only bring up to two cats at a time (in their own metal trap of course). They will be spayed/neutered, distemper and rabies vaccines, revolution on for fleas, and receive an ear tip (a universal sign that the cat has been fixed).
Located at: 1250 Indian Lake Rd. Daytona Beach, FL 32124.
Drop off time is: 8am.
CATS IN A PLASTIC CAT CARRIER: You can make an appointment online with Volusia County Animal Services for a cat that arrives in a hard plastic cat carrier and will NOT receive an ear tip. The cost to fix a male cat is around $25 and for a female cat is $75. Please go here to schedule online: Animal Services (volusia.org)
To call: 386-323-3575.
They have more information on their website. If you are unsure if you live in the unincorporated parts of Volusia County click here. Just fill out a few sections (street # and street name).
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REDINGER CLINIC: Now located at 2364 LPGA Blvd in Daytona Beach. Located in the "Lee & Patricia Culler Resource Center. To schedule an appointment to get a stray or feral cat fixed at NO cost to you, please see more information below on how it works by the city you live in. If you would like to pay for a friendly cat or dog to be fixed, please make the appointment online by going here: Redinger Spay/Neuter Clinic (halifaxhumanesociety.org)
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Daytona: (Two options)
For numerous cats that need to be fixed, Contact Pat of CCFAW by phone or email (with your full name, full address, phone number, and how many cats need fixed) to register a colony with the City of Daytona. 386-405-1559 or email: CCFAW@CCFAW.Org Or fill out this form.
Transport available for a couple cats. At this time, there is no transport available, but you can still call animal control to ask.
Debary/Orange City
Call Heather Crowne at 407-810-6071
Deland
Contact Denise Kelly at 386-626-7457 or email: KellyD@Deland.org for the form you need to fill out. Another contact number is: 386-323-3575. The city of Deland authorizes individual residents or organizations to receive reimbursement for the actual cost of spaying or neutering of up to twenty feral cats per fiscal year. More information is located on the form Denise Kelly will send you.
Deltona
Email or call Miron Miguel at Msanmiguel@deltonafl.gov or call 386-878-8703.
Edgewater
Edgewater Animal Shelter is fixing feral or stray cats at NO COST (cat must come from the city of Edgewater) a few days a month. Cat must arrive in his own metal trap. Please contact Edgewater Animal Shelter to learn more information. Or contact Pat of CCFAW by phone or email (with your full name, full address, phone number, and how many cats need fixed). 386-405-1559 or email: CCFAW@CCFAW.Org or fill out this form.
Holly Hill
Contact Pat of CCFAW by phone or email (with your full name, full address, phone number, and how many cats need fixed). 386-405-1559 or email: CCFAW@CCFAW.Org or fill out this form.
New Smyrna Beach
Contact Pat of CCFAW by phone or email (with your full name, full address, phone number, and how many cats need fixed). 386-405-1559 or email: CCFAW@CCFAW.Org or fill out this form.
Oak Hill
Contact Farmhouse Cats by email at pseuberling@cfl.rr.com or on Facebook under Farmhouse Cats
Orange City/Debary
Call Heather Crowne at 407-810-6071
Ormond Beach
Call Ormond Beach Animal Control Contact Officer Shannon at 386-676-3262 (it will route you to dispatch. Leave message if they don’t answer). If you live in the unincorporated parts of Ormond please call that number above.
Ponce Inlet
Call Nancy Epps at 386-795-2310
Port Orange
TNR (Trap Neuter Return) call 386-506-5836 (Leave a message if they don’t pick up) . You can pick up a TNR packet at the Port Orange Police Department located at 4545 S. Clyde Morris Blvd, Port Orange. Or leave a message with your email and they can forward the copies for you to fill out. They typically have traps (metal traps only) you can also borrow and they will help with transport. Another contact in Port Orange is Darlene Kochendoerfer. She may be able to allow you to borrow traps as well and at times help with transport. Texting is best form of communication for her (386-334-6596).
For dog or cat issues (other than TNR) call 386-248-1777 (central dispatching center).
South Daytona
Call Officer Kevin Petri 386-322-3030
Unincorporated Volusia County
Volusia County Animal Services – Call 386-323-3575. At this time- there is no paperwork needed to fill out. Simply give them your name and address when you call and they will look to find an available appointment. If you are unsure if you live in the unincorporated parts of Volusia County click here. Just fill out a few sections (street # and street name). To get a feral or stray cat fixed at NO cost to you, you must live in the unincorporated parts of Volusia County and show your ID. Cat also must arrive in his OWN metal trap.
READY TO START TRAPPING? NEED A FEW TIPS AND HELPFUL GUIDELINES? CLICK HERE!
Need help rehoming an unwanted or stray pet that is fixed? We have a rehoming assistance program to help you along in the process.
We also have a low cost/No cost Spay and Neuter master list for Volusia County as well as many other Florida Counties. To see the full list – Click here.