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Johnston County TNVR Pilot Program

The Johnston County TNVR Pilot Program is a collaborative effort between Bailey’s Human Rescue, Best Friends Animal Society, and Johnston County. This initiative aims to reduce the community cat population and shelter intake numbers through a humane and effective Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) approach.

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What is TNVR?

Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) is a proven, ethical method of managing outdoor cat populations. It involves trapping community cats, spaying or neutering them, vaccinating them, and returning them to their original location. TNVR prevents further breeding, reduces nuisance behaviors like spraying or yowling, and stabilizes the cat population over time.

Unlike traditional methods that often involve removal or euthanasia, TNVR provides a long-term solution that benefits both the cats and the community. To learn more visit our TNVR page.

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Program Overview

Timeline and Key Goals

First Quarter: 12/09/2024 - 03/10/2025

  • Objectives:

    • Establish nuisance mitigation response protocols.

    • Spay/neuter 150 cats.

    • Acquire essential equipment, including:

      • Transport vehicle

      • Humane traps and transfer cages

      • Cat deterrents for community loan programs

    • Cover operational needs (e.g., car insurance, gas).

    • Implement tracking systems for:

      • Nuisance mitigation calls

      • Cats pulled from shelters and diverted

      • Surgeries completed

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Second Quarter: 03/11/2025 - 06/09/2025

  • Spay/neuter an additional 250 cats.

  • Continue tracking and refining protocols.

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Third Quarter: 06/10/2025 - 09/09/2025

  • Spay/neuter another 250 cats.

  • Strengthen community engagement and education efforts.

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Fourth Quarter: 09/10/2025 - 12/09/2025

  • Complete the spaying and neutering of 150 cats.

  • Evaluate program outcomes and prepare for program transition.

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Year-End Goal: Spay/neuter approximately 800 cats to reduce shelter intake and euthanasia rates.

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Funding

The program is supported by a $100,000 grant, distributed as follows:

  • $30,000 – First Quarter - 12/09/2024

  • $20,000 – Second Quarter - 03/10/2025

  • $30,000 – Third Quarter - 06/10/2025

  • $20,000 – Fourth Quarter - 09/10/2025

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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions:

Who will be managing the grant money?
Bailey’s Human Rescue will manage the grant funds based on the guidelines laid out in the grant.

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Who decides on priority spending needs?
Bailey’s Human Rescue will make all decisions regarding spending to ensure effective use of resources.

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Should other rescues get involved?
Yes, other rescues are encouraged to reach out and see how they can assist. While they will not have decision-making authority, they can participate in volunteer opportunities to support the program.

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Will the program focus on TNR based on areas of concern?
Yes, Johnston County has been tracking zones in which they were picking up cats, and Bailey's Human Rescue will track nuisance calls to identify high-need areas, ensuring the program targets locations with the greatest impact on shelter intake numbers.

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Can citizens opt into the program to get help?
Currently, the program focuses on reducing shelter intake and euthanasia rates. Citizens can still access Bailey’s Human Rescue’s regular TNR program by checking the appointment calendar and registering their colonies. Operation Catnip has offered to help maintain appointment slots.

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Will this program be able to help my personal cats?

Currently, the program focuses on reducing shelter intake and euthanasia rates. For personal cats we recommend checking out the low cost spay neuter clinic locator to find affordable options near you. 

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Will the program include town areas?
No, towns opted out of the pilot, preferring to observe its outcomes first. The program will focus on county areas, where most shelter intakes originate.

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Has any local veterinarian stepped up to help?
Unfortunately, no. Despite outreach efforts, local veterinarians in Johnston County are unable to provide support due to resource limitations.

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What happens if the program doesn’t meet its goals?
If the program underperforms, adjustments will be made based on collected data and feedback. Best Friends Animal Society may consider extending funding for another year.

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What kind of data will be tracked?
The program will track:

  • Nuisance mitigation calls

  • Cats pulled from shelters

  • Cats diverted from intake

  • Number of spay/neuter surgeries completed

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Will the program address sick or injured cats?
Sick or injured cats will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The program focuses primarily on healthy community cats, but urgent cases may be addressed if feasible. We will never put sick or injured cats back outside.

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What kind of support can citizens expect for nuisance mitigation?
Bailey’s Human Rescue will provide information on humane deterrents, guidance on addressing nuisance behaviors, and resources. They will help educate the caretakers in proper management of their colony to help reduce the nuisance issues. Between this approach we aim to help not only the complaint but the caretaker as well. 

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What are cat deterrents and Where can I purchase Them? ​

Cat deterrents are tools or strategies designed to discourage cats from entering certain areas without causing them harm. These solutions help protect gardens, yards, or other spaces from unwanted feline visitors. They are an essential part of humane nuisance mitigation and can be used by homeowners or businesses. Click on each item to bring you to a link to purchase it.

 

Common Types of Cat Deterrents

  1. Motion-Activated Sprinklers:

    • Emit a harmless spray of water when a cat approaches.

    • Effective for outdoor spaces like gardens or yards.

  2. Ultrasonic Devices:

    • Emit high-frequency sounds that cats dislike but are inaudible to humans.

    • Ideal for deterring cats from driveways, porches, or patios.

  3. Physical Barriers:

    • Options include chicken wire, lattice fencing, or spiky mats (safe for cats).

    • Useful for preventing cats from digging or entering specific areas.

    • You can also add rocks and other items in garden beds to cover the dirt.

  4. Natural Deterrents and Odor Eliminator:

    • Scents such as citrus, coffee grounds, or vinegar can be applied to areas to repel cats. 

  5. Commercial Cat Repellent Spray

    • These sprays use natural oils or ingredients cats find unpleasant.

  6. Cat Scat Mats:

    • Plastic mats with blunt spikes that make surfaces uncomfortable for cats to walk on.

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What if I have a large colony that needs TNR?
You can contact Bailey’s Human Rescue to discuss colony registration and explore options for assistance through the regular TNR program.

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How can I volunteer?
We welcome volunteers for roles such as trapping, transport, administration, nuisance mitigation, and community engagement. Sign Up to Volunteer

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Will the program be sustainable after the first year?
The goal is for the Johnston County shelter to manage the program independently after the first year. If needed, Best Friends Animal Society may evaluate extending funding.

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What happens to the cats after TNR?
Cats are returned to their original location after being spayed or neutered and vaccinated. This reduces nuisance behaviors, prevents overpopulation, and stabilizes the colony.

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Why Can't You Just Relocate the Cats?

Relocating community cats might seem like a simple solution, but it often creates more problems than it solves.

  1. The Vacuum Effect

    • When cats are removed from an area, new cats often move in to take their place because the resources (like food, water, and shelter) remain. This cycle is known as the vacuum effect.

    • The new cats may breed rapidly, leading to a population increase, undoing any progress made by relocation.

  2. Territorial Defense

    • Cats are highly territorial animals. Established community cats naturally defend their area from outsiders, helping to keep new, unneutered cats away.

    • Removing them leaves the area unguarded, allowing unvaccinated, unsterilized cats to move in and start breeding.

  3. Stress and Survival Challenges

    • Relocated cats face extreme stress and difficulty adapting to unfamiliar environments.

    • They often struggle to find food, water, and shelter and may encounter hostility from established colonies in the new area.

  4. Ethical and Practical Considerations

    • Relocation is not a humane solution and rarely addresses the root cause of overpopulation.

    • TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) stabilizes the population and ensures cats are healthy and less of a nuisance in their original location.

By not relocating the cats it allows cats to remain in their familiar territory while preventing population growth and reducing nuisance behaviors.

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How can I report nuisance behavior or request assistance?
Please complete our online report form with as much detail as possible. This helps us address your concerns effectively and include your area in our efforts.

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Can we donate to help with these efforts?

Yes, we can use donations of all kinds, such as cat deterrents, gas cards, and more. Please visit our donate page to locate our Wishlist and PayPal link. 

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This pilot program is a significant step toward humane and sustainable management of community cats in Johnston County. For further questions or to get involved, Contact Us!

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