Benbrook TNR Guide Helps Residents Manage Feral Cats.

A stray cat starts showing up around the house. Then another. Before long, a few neighborhood cats can become a growing colony.

The City of Benbrook is pointing residents toward Trap-Neuter-Release, or TNR, as a humane way to manage feral and stray cat populations. Cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and ear-tipped before being returned to the outdoor area they already call home. Over time, preventing new litters can help stabilize and reduce the population.

For residents considering TNR, a few important rules apply. The city’s information says trapping is allowed on private property with the owner’s permission, but not on public property. Traps must also be checked regularly, and whoever sets the trap is responsible for the animal’s humane care until it is transferred.

Texas heat makes timing especially important. The guidance recommends trapping during cooler morning or evening hours, keeping traps shaded and monitored, and considering another day when temperatures climb above 90 degrees.

Benbrook residents don’t have to figure out the process alone. The city’s guide includes nearby resources for low-cost or free services, including the Texas Coalition for Animal Protection, Spay Neuter Network, and Humane Society of North Texas, along with organizations that can help with trapping and colony management.

For the neighbor wondering what to do about the cats gathering behind the fence, under the porch or around the block, this gives you a practical place to start.