Franklin County TNR Clinics

by Barbara Murray

Gae Broadwater checks feral cats for TNR clinic in Frankfort, KYThe Franklin County Human Society's TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) Program conducts TNR Clinics on a regular basis. If you're not familiar with the TNR program, it's the local human society's way of dealing compassionately with the feral cat population. I personally agree that spaying and neutering is an effective and humane means of controlling the feral cat population.

The cats are trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and monitored through recovery from surgery. Following recovery, each cat is released back into the community, typically at the spot where it was trapped.

The humane society needs volunteers to help with this event and duties may be as simple, but vitally important, as monitoring cats after surgery. To volunteer at this event or any Franklin County Humane Society event, contact Jean Unglaub, Volunteer Coordinator, at 859-340-0160 or email jeanunglaub.fchs@gmail.com.

Volunteers under age 18 must have a parent or guardian present during their volunteer shift. In addition, remember that volunteering for the humane society qualifies as community service, when required.

For more information on the TNR program, visit their Facebook page, or call the humane society at 502-875-7297 or email your questions FranklinTNR@gmail.com. Located at 1041 Kentucky Avenue, Frankfort, KY, the Franklin County Humane Society is open Tuesday through Saturday, 12:00-5:00 p.m. and Sundays 12:00-4:00 p.m.

If you’d like to learn more about this shelter, the adoption process, and see the animals available for adoption, visit their website.


The photographs below and at top right were taken at one of Franklin County Humane Society's TNR clinics in December 2014. The photo, above right, shows TNR Coordinator Gae Broadwater getting a feral cat ready to spend the night in the facility used for the clinic.

Dozens of feral cats in traps line the wall, ready for the TNR clinic.
Dozens of feral cats, gathered by volunteers in the Frankfort, Kentucky area, spend the night prior to the TNR clinic in covered traps.
A feral cat waits in a trap to spayed or neutered at the Franklin County Humane Society TNR Clinic in December 2014.
A "not too happy" patient awaits his turn for surgery at a Franklin County Humane Society TNR Clinic.