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A Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) program benefits
both community cats and the community by:
• Stabilizing the colony and reducing the intake
numbers at area shelters of feral cats and
kittens
• Reducing offensive behaviors associated with
unsterilized cats such as mating, fighting,
yowling, and marking behaviors
• TNR is more effective and less costly than
repeated attempts at eradication
• TNR is a more humane approach to community cat
overpopulation
Before you place that first trap, know as much
as possible about the process. By educating
yourself and being an informed trapper or colony
caretaker, you will make a more positive impact
on the cats you want to help. Here are some
facts and tips that may help you in this
process.
Identify all cats in the area you wish to trap
in. Note those that are regulars, occasional
visitors, pregnant females and kittens.
Assess the area the cats are being trapped and
its suitability for return of the cats. Most
usually it is best to return the cats to the
area they were trapped. Make relocation a last
consideration. There is a complete process to
relocation and it must be done as a last resort
only.
Notify neighbors that you will be trapping in
the area. Ask that they keep their cat indoors
at these times or has identification.
Prior to trapping, make arrangements for social
cats and kittens to be adopted through a rescue
organization, a no kill shelter or your own
network. All kittens and cats must be seen by a
veterinarian as soon as possible. All cats
should be spayed or neutered, treated for
parasites, tested for FIV and FeLV and age
appropriate vaccinations given prior to
adoption. Kittens can be spayed at two pounds or
at about eight weeks.
Make sure your veterinarian will work with you
on community cats and that he and his staff are
experienced in caring for them. Ensure that your
veterinarian has the proper equipment such as a
squeeze cage and a divider fork or arrange for
those items to be available (netting and
manhandling community cats is not recommended).
Educate yourself and ask about the anesthesia
protocol that will be used.
Dissolvable sutures should be used on community
cats, and a left ear tip is mandatory (it is the
universal sign of a community cat). A three year
rabies vaccination is also mandatory, and in
Round Rock, Texas, all community cats must be
microchipped and registered under a non-profit
organization such as Shadow Cats.
Trapping tips:
• Never leave a cat where it might be threatened
by people, weather or animals.
• Never leave a trap unattended.
• Once the cat is in the trap, immediately cover
it with a towel or blanket as this will have an
immediate calming effect.
• Do not trap in inclement weather
• Do not use tranquilizers
• Do not trap lactating females
• If you trap a lactating female and also
identify tiny kittens in the area but can not
get the kittens, release the mother cat- Return
when the kittens are older (8 weeks) and trap
them all (First do no harm)
• If you do trap a lactating female but do not
realize it until she is 'on the surgical table',
spay her. Return to the area and make all
attempts to find the kittens. If not found,
release mother cat within twenty four hours if
possible.
The best trapping time is Oct through March-
fewer lactating females/kittens. April through
September are prime months for trapping a female
with kittens so extra precautions should be
taken during these months to avoid the above
scenario.
For the most part, kittens under eight or nine
weeks have the best outcome for socialization
and adoption. For older kittens/cats who have
not socialized, the most humane option for them
may be to be released back into their colony
after TNR.
If you are considering relocation the first rule
is, don’t. However, if you do plan to relocate,
there is an in depth protocol to this (please
visit
www.alleycat.org
for more information on relocation or contact
feralfriend@austin.rr.com.
Relocating may take weeks to months and must be
done with the greatest of care and commitment to
the process. Dumping cats in rural areas is
inhumane and the cats will likely starve, become
prey themselves, or become lost trying to return
to their old 'home'. Cats must be confined for
two to three weeks in order for them to bond to
their new home. During this time the cats must
be sheltered and fed daily. Please read more
about this process before making a decision to
relocate.
Cats should be provided long term care and
support if at all possible. Daily feedings,
outdoor shelters and caretakers that will
monitor the colony for general health
maintenance is ideal. All newcomers within the
colony should be immediately identified,
trapped, vaccinated and sterilized.
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