New SNR Program for Scottsbluff

Posted: Jun 17, 2025

We have an exciting new program for the feral cats in Scottsbluff! We were given a grant from Best Friends Animal Society to help reduce the feral cat population in the area, and we are starting with Scottsbluff. This is an SNR, or Shelter Neuter Return program. Similar to TNR, but different in that it is for cats that are trapped and brought to the shelter, then spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and returned to the location where they were trapped. Their ears are tipped as well (the corner or “tip” removed with a laser), so they are easily identified as already spayed/neutered. Our veterinarian does give them an antibiotic injection to help with healing and prevent infection. When we release them, we will put out a small bowl of food so they have a good start.

How this will work: if you reside within the city limits of Scottsbluff, send an email to admin@panhandlehs.org with your address and an approximate number of cats that you have around your residence. We will pass that on to the police, and as we have space, they will come and set a trap. It will then be up to you to keep an eye on the trap and contact Communications when there is a cat in the trap. An officer will come and pick up the trap as soon as possible and bring it to PHS. If you see that the cat in the trap has a tipped ear, you can release it, however you should be sure before you do, as the cat will not likely go into the trap a second time once released.

If you are feeding the cats in your area or know someone who is, please stop feeding them once we reply to your email. This will make it easier for the cat to go after the food in the trap. 

Please note, this is not a free spay/neuter program for anyone’s personal indoor/outdoor or strictly outdoor cat. If any cats are trapped and are friendly, they will not be part of the SNR program. They will be held per our 3-day stray hold and made available for adoption. They will be posted on our PHS Lost and Found group on Facebook. We highly recommend anyone who has an indoor/outdoor cat put a collar on their cat or keep a good eye on our Lost and Found group. We assure you, this is not an attempt to capture your cats and take them away from you! We will work with you and ask that you work with us for the best possible outcome.

We know this won’t eliminate the feral cat program, however we are hoping it will make a dent in it. If you would like to donate to this fund, please make sure to designate it on any donation you make!