Return to Field Program
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Return to Field Program Update11/6/2024 - 09:07 AMThe Return to Field Program is currently active with approved trapping occurring on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. At this time there will be no trapping on Thursdays. Trapping will be permitted each week of the month unless otherwise specified or updated on our website. Please contact our office for further questions and details regarding our RTF program.
The program will also be suspended Thanksgiving week November 26th , 27th and the two weeks during Christmas to New Years from December 24th through January 1st. The RTF program will then resume on Tuesday January 7th, 2025, with trapping permitted on Tuesdays and Wednesday. For further details please contact our main line at 714-741-5565 and press 1 to speak to a representative.
Garden Grove Animal Care Services operates a Return to Field program to decrease the number of feral/community cats euthanized at the shelter. Under the program, free roaming community cats and feral cats are spay/neutered, vaccinated, ear tipped, provided flea medication, given basic medical care, and returned to their respective communities. If a cat has already been through a Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) program it will not be taken to the shelter unless it has a medical issue. If a cat is trapped with a medical issue, it will be transported to a veterinarian who will determine the best course of treatment. Animal Care Services Officers do not provide traps or capture feral cats.
In order to participate in the program, a Garden Grove resident will need to obtain a Cat Trap Permit by contacting our office at (714) 741-5565. A valid ID or proof of residency is required to participate in the program for Garden Grove residents only.
Program Details
The program will be available Tuesdays and Wednesdays ONLY, excluding major holidays. Permitted trappers must contact GGACS before 8:30 a.m. on program days, leaving a detailed message with the address of the trap. If trappers have not contacted GGACS prior to 8:30 a.m. on program days, no transfer of animals will take place. Typically there will be space for 5-7 cats on each day. If you have concerns about a large cat population that will require multiple cats going through the program, please call and speak to a staff member for targeted trapping.
TNR programs have been shown to help manage feral cat populations better than trapping alone. By obtaining the free permit, it allows the City to better monitor the statistics of where the cats are coming from.