Return-to-Field: How & Why
Led by the team at Neighborhood Cats, this workshop explores how Return-to-Field (RTF) programs are transforming outcomes for community cats in shelters. Once considered unadoptable, healthy free-roaming cats are now increasingly being sterilized, vaccinated, eartipped, and returned to their original locations—saving lives while reducing shelter intake and overcrowding.
This session examines how RTF works in practice, how it complements TNR, and what shelters and communities need to consider when implementing or expanding these programs responsibly.
What You’ll Learn
RTF Policies, Principles & Program Design
Learn the foundations of Return-to-Field, including the policies that support it and the operational steps required to implement an effective program. This section covers intake decision-making, workflows, and how RTF contributes to long-term population reduction and sustainability.
RTF, Friendly Cats & Integration with TNR
Explore current discussions and controversies around returning friendly cats to the field and how shelters can navigate these situations thoughtfully. You’ll also learn how to integrate RTF with existing TNR efforts to maximize impact while maintaining humane, data-driven practices.
Valuable Resources & Certification
Take advantage of the interactive format and live Q&A, extensive handouts, and real-life video footage from actual projects. Attendees will receive a digital certificate after passing a brief quiz and access to a dedicated Facebook group for ongoing networking with fellow TNR advocates. Plus the live course recording will be available for you to review for one year.
Workshop Sponsor
We are proud to receive support from the following sponsor for this workshop.
We are currently accepting sponsorships for our 2026 educational season. This year’s packages include a range of valuable benefits. Review the sponsorship details, and if you have any questions, please email stacy@communitycatspodcast.com.
This course/webinar/series/conference has been approved for Continuing Educational Units by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). National certificate holders can submit for credit consistent with the NACA CEU policy located https://nacatraining.org/continuing-education-recertification/
