News file photo A stray cat is seen in a trap.

ALPENA — Northeast Michigan TNR (NEMTNR) will host a training class on April 11 at the Alpena county library to make trap, neuter, and release (TNR) services more accessible to the community.

Rebecca Witt, president of Northeast Michigan TNR, said that the organization hosts training classes three times a year between April and October. She said that the first class of 2026 will occur this month. The class is $10 which covers the cost of the printed packets and the NEMTNR cards that get issued to attendees.

According to Witt, the class teaches attendees best practices when trapping, transporting, and releasing feral cats. The class also covers pre- and post-surgery care for spay and neuters.

Witt explained that the TNR method of addressing feral cats and feral cat colonies ensures that cats cannot continue to breed and cause harm to their environment.

“A human solution to reduce the amount of kittens born each year,” Witt said.

Witt added that at the end of the NEMTNR class, attendees receive a NEMTNR card with an assigned NEMTNR number issued by the organization. This card gives attendees access to borrow NEMTNR trapping items free of charge.

She said that the card also gives a discounted rate for NEMTNR eligible cats at the organization’s two participating vet clinics, which include Switzer Veterinary Clinic and New Beginnings Veterinary Services.

The organization’s cards have a two-year expiration to ensure cardholders remain up to date on best practices as well as procedures at the participating vet clinics, according to Witt.

After two years, if cardholders want to continue participating in NEMTNR services, they are required to attend another class. TNR cardholders who remain active are reviewed for eligibility to waive the requirement to attend training again, Witt said.

“Stuff changes at our vet clinics as far as procedures,” she said. “If someone is active in trapping, we just talk to them and reissue them a new card.”

TNR cardholders who remain active with frequent TNR are reviewed for eligibility to waive the requirement to attend training again, Witt said.

“Our training is also available for existing cardholders to attend for free in the two year timeframe if they want a refresher,” she added.

Witt explained that the goal for the training is to allow community cat caretakers to do trap, neuter, release services according to their schedule and finances.

“It also gives us a pool of trained volunteers to help with cases for people who are unable to do TNR on their own (elderly, disabled, no vehicle, et cetera) or when we coordinate TNR of a large colony,” Witt said.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.