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Salina shelter outlines TNR program, reports 162 sterilizations so far in 2025
Summary
Shelter staff told the Animal Control Advisory and Appeals Board that the trap-neuter-return program runs every third Thursday, that 162 community cats have been sterilized and vaccinated in 2025, and that low-cost clinics rely on a contracted Wichita veterinarian to keep public prices down.
Salina's animal shelter presented details of its trap-neuter-return program and recent clinic activity to the Animal Control Advisory and Appeals Board on an informational item Monday.
Shelter staff said the TNR effort began in January 2025 and takes place every third Thursday. "Every third Thursday is our trap and release day," the presenter said, explaining that community members may borrow traps or use their own, that cats are spayed or neutered, given a one-year rabies vaccination and ear-tipped to indicate sterilization. Staff reported 162 cats vaccinated and sterilized so far in 2025, with recent monthly totals generally in the 20'20to-30 range.
The presenter described why returning altered cats reduces reproduction and shelter intake: return prevents the colony from reproducing, lowers nuisance behaviors and improves colony health, while ear-tipping helps volunteers and staff identify altered animals in the field. The program also includes a volunteer agreement that sets expectations for people assisting with trapping and transport.
On veterinary services, staff explained the shelter contracts with a veterinarian who travels from Wichita and runs fast spay'neuter clinics. "We have a veterinarian that we contract with that comes from Wichita," the presenter said, adding this arrangement is cost-efficient and allows the shelter to offer low-cost public pricing because the contractor's prices are lower than many local offices. The shelter also uses local veterinarians for nonspay/neuter medical care when needed.
Staff described safety practices: they prefer live traps to soft carriers so sedation can be administered through trap bars, reducing stress and risk to animals and handlers. The shelter cancels TNR days if overnight temperatures are expected below 30 degrees for animal safety.
The board asked operational questions about trapping logistics, volunteer training and how returned cats are handled; staff said cats are returned to the pickup location and that a 50% trap-return rate is typical. The presentation concluded with an offer to provide additional design options for outreach materials and ongoing volunteer cooperation.
Next steps: the board requested continued updates on clinic volumes and volunteer engagement and encouraged staff to explore community-design contests for outreach materials.
