The purpose of the community cat program for West Valley City/Taylorsville Animal Services is to reduce the breeding and overpopulation of community cats while addressing complaints and concerns from our residents. The Community Cat program aims to achieve these goals while helping maintain a No-Kill status among the shelter population. The best way to do this is through the Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) Program.

Any cat who falls under the definition provided by the state is considered a "community cat" and is eligible for TNR.

Utah Code Section 11-46-302:
(1)"Community cat" means a feral or free-roaming cat that is without visibly discernable or microchip owner identification of any kind, and has been sterilized, vaccinated, and ear-tipped.
(6)"Feral" has the same meaning as in Section 23A-1-101.

All other cats brought to the shelter are considered a regular stray, and will be held for five days. If no owner comes to claim them they are fixed, vaccinated, and adopted out at the shelter. 

Trap/neuter/return (TNR) programs involve trapping, neutering/vaccinating, and returning community cats to their original outdoor locations. It is not only the most humane method of preventing cats from entering the shelter system; it’s the most effective.

Community Cats are trapped and brought to the shelter. Cats will be held at the Animal Shelter until they are determined to be healthy enough for release. The cats are then returned to where they were picked up or trapped.

The TNR Program is available year-round. Contact the shelter to learn more.

There is a limited number of traps available for rent at the shelter. Rentals require a safety deposit, and may only be made for two weeks at a time.

Sometimes there are caregivers for one or more cats in a community. These caregivers provide food supplement and/or temporary shelters during the winter. While this is a wonderful gesture, it is not necessary for community cats to thrive. Cats are scavengers and those born into this type of life and environment know how to find food and shelter. West Valley City/Taylorsville Animal Services does not provide food or shelters for caregivers. We can, however, provide information on food resources and how to build a shelter. Contact our office for more information.

Live-Capture Cat Trapping

Responsibilities and Safe Trapping Guidelines

These guidelines are designed to protect both you and the animal. Anyone using a live trap is responsible for the animal’s care and welfare from the time it is captured until it is brought to West Valley City/Taylorsville Animal Services.

Under Utah law and local ordinance, a trapped animal must be:

  • Taken to West Valley City/Taylorsville Animal Services;
  • Released at the same location where it was trapped; or
  • Returned to its owner.

Do not release or relocate animals to another area. Failure to follow these requirements may result in a citation for animal cruelty under city ordinance and/or Utah state law.

While Trapping:

  1. Place the trap on a flat, level surface.
  2. Keep the trap out of direct sunlight and in an area that protects the animal from rain, wind, extreme temperatures, and other weather conditions.
  3. Place food and water inside the trap, behind the pressure plate. Use small portions of food spaced along the trap to encourage the animal to move toward the back.
  4. Clean water must be available to the trapped animal at all times.
  5. Cover the trap with a lightweight sheet, towel, or blanket to help keep the animal calm and protected.
  6. Placing newspaper on the bottom of the trap may help make animals more comfortable entering it.
  7. Never leave a trapped animal in the trap longer than overnight.

Trapping Schedule and Animal Pickup

Trapping is not permitted on weekends or holidays. Please stop trapping by 5:00 p.m. on Friday and do not resume until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

If an animal is captured, contact West Valley City Animal Services during business hours (9 AM - 5:30 PM). You may also bring the animal to the shelter during normal business hours.

West Valley City/Taylorsville Animal Shelter
Phone: 801-965-5800
4522 West 3500 South
West Valley City, UT 84120

Due to limited space in our community cat room, we ask that caretakers and community members only bring one cat per colony, every other day.

Kennels fill up quickly in the shelter. When there are no kennels available, city-wide trapping may be temporarily suspended.

Community Cat Coordinator

West Valley City/Taylorsville Animal Services has a full-time person assigned to the Community Cat Program. If you have any questions or concerns regarding community cats, please email our Community Cat Coordinator or call 801-965-5812.