TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Return. Community cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and then returned to the area where they were living. The cats are then monitored by caregivers.
Animal Services
Pets are a part of your family and we want them to be safe and enjoy living in the City of Medicine Hat.
The City of Medicine Hat provides the following services to ensure this safety and enjoyment:
- License cats and dogs residing in Medicine Hat.
- Educate and ensure compliance with Bylaw No. 3935 - the Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw.
- Investigate animal-related inquiries through Municipal Bylaw Enforcement.
- Operate our own Animal Pound Services facility.
- Provide funding for Low Cost Spay/Neuter programs at the Medicine Hat SPCA.
- Maintain fully fenced off-leash dog parks and designated off leash trails for owners and animals.
Animal Pound Services
The City of Medicine Hat now operates the Animal Pound Services (APS) facility. Visit our APS webpage to learn about the following information and more:
- Services offered
- Facility hours
- Fees
- Adoptable animals
Off-leash dog parks
Enjoy two off-leash dog parks in Medicine Hat year-round
Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw
The City enforces Bylaw No. 3935 - the Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw
Animal and pest control
Learn more on Animal and Pest Control in Medicine Hat
Trap Neuter Return (TNR)
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the most humane and effective method for managing community cats, which are outdoor, unowned cats and may include feral or stray cats. It involves humanely trapping outdoor cats, spaying/neutering them, vaccinating against rabies, eartipping for identification, and returning them to their outdoor homes.
TNR is used to humanely manage community cat populations. Sterilized cats can no longer reproduce, which helps stabilize and gradually reduce outdoor cat populations over time.
Community cats are free-roaming outdoor cats that may be feral, semi-socialized, or friendly. They may or may not have a caretaker, but they do not have an identifiable owner.
Does TNR reduce cat populations?
Yes. Research and field experience have shown that when a high percentage of cats in a colony are sterilized, populations stabilize and gradually decline through natural attrition.
Why not simply relocate the cats?
Cats are territorial animals and often attempt to return to their original location. Relocation can cause stress and lower survival rates if not done carefully. TNR allows cats to remain in an area they know.
What are the benefits of TNR for communities?
- Fewer kittens are born outdoors.
- Cat populations gradually decline.
- Nuisance behaviours are reduced.
- Vaccination improves public health protection.
- Shelter intake and euthanasia rates may decrease.
Residents can:
- Report unsterilized community cats.
- Support local TNR programs.
- Avoid abandoning pets outdoors.
- Ensure owned cats are spayed or neutered.
Is TNR suitable for owned pets?
No. TNR is intended for unowned, free-roaming community cats. Owned cats should be spayed or neutered and provided regular veterinary care.
Administer Trap Neuter Return (TNR) Program
The Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw (No. 3935), amended in August 2023 enables Humane Societies (Medicine Hat SPCA or other similar society or corporate entity which rescues, cares for and/or arranges fostering or adopting of animals and which has been designated in writing from time to time by the Director as a Humane Society) to propose and administer TNR programs in the City of Medicine Hat.
For more information, contact:
Projects & Partnerships Lead, City of Medicine Hat
Phone: 403-502-8750
Email: micjos@medicinehat.ca
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