Trapping: The first step involves the humane trapping of the cats using safe, non-injurious traps. Volunteers or caretakers set up these traps in areas where feral or community cats are known to live.

Neutering/Spaying: Once trapped, the cats are taken to a veterinary clinic where they undergo spaying or neutering. This is essential for controlling the population, as a single unspayed female cat and her offspring can lead to hundreds of kittens over just a few years.

Vaccination: At the same time, the cats are vaccinated, most commonly against rabies and other common feline diseases. This helps protect both the cats and the community from potential health risks.

Ear-Tipping: A small portion of the cat’s ear is tipped as an identifier to show that the cat has been sterilized and vaccinated.

Return: After they recover from surgery, the cats are returned to their original location where they were trapped. Because feral cats are not socialized to humans, releasing them back into their familiar environment is crucial for their well-being.