An empty trap

 

As someone in rescue who works within the realm of TNR, this happens. Picking up an empty trap from the spay/neuter clinic. 

A cat was trapped but had severe injuries and the best decision the rescue could make for him was to end his suffering. It is never an easy decision and no one takes it lightly. But rehabbing a feral cat and medicating them while keeping them confined can be nearly impossible. This is better than a long painful end he would have had outside on his own. But it still breaks our hearts to know he suffered before we trapped him.

Any rescuer will tell you the first line of rescue work is spay and neuter. It reduces the number of kittens and it also reduces fighting amongst tom cats.