Animal Care does not remove healthy stray or feral cats from communities.
Residents play an essential role in the success of the trap, neuter, return (TNR) practice. If you're able to help trap free-roaming or stray cats near your home or in your neighborhood, request TNR vouchers from the Ombudsman.
Animal Mission provides Richland County Animal Care with Trap Neuter Return (TNR) vouchers for use by the residents of Richland County. TNR vouchers are for stray and feral cats and provide a discount on the cost of the spay or neuter surgery, rabies vaccine, and ear tipping for community cats residing in Richland County. Residents are responsible for any additional costs.
The TNR vouchers can be used at Pawmetto Lifeline or the Humane Society. You may also visit the Animal Mission website for a list of participating veterinary practices.
It is the responsibility of the resident to trap the cats and take them to the organization they choose. After recovery, the resident returns the cat to their outdoor home.
Redeem TNR Vouchers
Pawmetto Lifeline
803-465-9150
1275 Bower Pkwy.
Columbia, SC 29212
The Humane Society
803-783-1267
405 Greenlawn Dr.
Columbia, SC 29209
Benefits of Trap, Neuter, Return
Prevent the overpopulation of feral cats - Getting feral and stray cats spayed or neutered prevents them from reproducing, helping to stop cat overpopulation. This can help the quality of life for feral cats, help reduce the number of cats around your neighborhood, and reduce the spread of disease and the number of cat deaths.
Reduce feline nuisance behavior - One major complaint about feral cats is their behavior. Many cats will participate in excessive fighting, whether it’s territorial, food-related, over a female cat, etc. This can lead to loud noise outside of your home. Another behavior that is common among feral cats is spraying their urine on structures around your property to mark their territory. Nuisance behavior becomes more rampant when feral cats breed in sheltered areas close to or in homes and can lead to property destruction. It is a fact that when cats are spayed or neutered, there is a decrease in this kind of behavior, making living among feral cats much more pleasant.
A cost-effective and humane way to control the feral cat population - Help save shelters, pounds and animal control agencies a significant amount of money. It costs half as much for one cat to participate in the TNR program as it does to euthanize that same cat.
Gain excellent rodent control - Cats are natural-born hunters. Free-roaming cats find many of their meals in rodents that are living around your home. Having feral cats controlling the rodent population can prevent rodents from making their way into your home and getting into your food supply. Reducing the rodent population also protects your pets from coming into contact with them, and the diseases they carry.
Help feral cats live healthier, happier lives - There are many forms of cancer and diseases that can be associated with having an excessive amount of pregnancies in cats. When a female cat has too many pregnancies it promotes mammary, uterine, and other health problems. Spaying cats is a way to keep cats healthier and prevent premature deaths. Cats that are spayed also do not go into heat, which attracts fewer tomcats, resulting in less fighting and injury. Neutered and spayed cats also live longer and remain in the same colony for a longer period of time.
Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic devices contain a motion sensor and upon being triggered, emit a high-frequency alarm imperceptible to humans but highly annoying and startling to cats.
Motion Activated Sprinklers
Motion activated sprinklers use infrared technology to detect an animal entering a defined area. When a cat enters the infrared field, the sprinkler shoots out a burst of water for a few seconds in the general direction of the animal. The effect is to frighten the cats rather than soak them and they will quickly learn not to enter the area.
Scent Repellents
Scent repellants should be sprayed or placed around the edges of the yard, the top of fences and on any favorite digging areas or plants. Sprays and powder may need to be replenished after rain.
Naturally-Based Products or Plants
There are many naturally based products or plants whose natural scent repels cats. Plant these around your garden for a lasting fragrance that encourages cats to stay away.
Use caution as some plants can be toxic to humans and pets if ingested or may cause skin irritation on contact.
Although the following plants are often recommended as cat repellents, citizens are encouraged to use caution when using these as a deterrent:
- Scaredy-cat plant (aka Coleus canine): Causes severe skin irritation in pets
- Lavender: Toxic if ingested by pets
- Geraniums: Toxic if ingested by pets
- Citronella: Toxic if ingested by pets
- Lemongrass: Toxic to pets if ingested in large quantities (cats are more sensitive to this one than dogs)
Rosemary and curry plant can repel cats and are not harmful to people or animals.
Common Household Items
- Orange/ Lemon Peels (Cats dislike citrus)
- Cayenne Pepper
- Coffee Grounds
- Vinegar
- Lemon grass Oil
- Citronella Oil
- Eucalyptus Oil
- Lavender Oil
- Peppermint
Physical Barriers to Digging
Gardens and flowerbeds can be protected from digging through a number of means:
- Plastic mats that are pressed into the soil. Each mat has flexible plastic spikes and are harmless to cats and other animals, but discourage excavation.
- Cover exposed ground with rough surfaced rocks or pinecones.
- Lay lattice fencing or chicken wire on the ground prior to planting, then plant flowers and seeds in the openings.
- Use deterrents.
- Use a car cover.
In winter, cats may seek warmth from your engine. Having winter shelter available generally alleviates this issue, but it is still good practice to open or knock on the hood of your car before starting the engine.
Position feeders at least 12 feet away from grass and shrubs, which can serve as good cat cover. If possible, place the feeders within 15 feet of trees, where birds can hide or flee from avian predators.
If your feeder is mounted on a pole, install a predator guard (a metal cone with the wide bottom facing down) to keep cats and other animals from climbing up.
Place circular fences, about 2 feet high and 4 feet in diameter, on the ground directly below feeders to make it difficult for cats and predators to creep up on birds unseen.
Put down sharp-edged gravel beneath feeders or, under a shallow layer of dirt or mulch, bury small-gauge chicken wire, a plastic carpet runner with the knobby side up, or a deterrent mat. Cats do not like walking on these types of irregular surfaces.
Do not leave food for your cat or other pets outdoors.
If you feed feral cats, make sure they are spayed or neutered, and put food out at a designated time when you are present to monitor for predators. Take the food away when everyone is done eating.
Microchip Feeders can be used if you have to leave food out for your pets, consider using a microchip feeder. Microchip pet feeders are devices that synchronize with your pet's microchip so that only one specific pet can access the food within the feeder.
Do not throw out scraps of leftover food. Not only will this attract cats, but it will also attract wildlife.
Store garbage in a container with a lid that locks in place.
Make sure that entrances/vents under your home and any storage buildings/sheds are covered.