TNR CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP - NEIGHBORHOOD CATS
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NEIGHBORHOOD CATS TNR CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP
2
3
Susan Richmond
Executive Director
Neighborhood Cats
susan@neighborhoodcats.org
4
Bryan Kortis
National Programs Director
Neighborhood Cats
bryan@neighborhoodcats.org
5
Partner programs Download: “Local TNR Resources” now or at:
www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-
• New York City care-training-education/
• Michigan (All About Animals Rescue) Watch extra recorded sessions by partners at:
• Iowa (Iowa Humane Alliance) www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-
care-training-education/
• Washington DC (Humane Rescue
Alliance)
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What is TNR?
• Trap colony cats (as close to 100% as
possible)
• Spay/neuter, vaccination & eartipping
• Return to original territory
• Ongoing care & monitoring
• (optional) Adoption of friendlies or
young kittens
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Benefits of Trap-Neuter-Return
• No more kittens, fewer cats over time
• Reduced nuisance behavior:
- odor from spraying
- noise from mating & fighting
- visibility from roaming
• Barrier to rabies transmission
• Healthier cats
• Rodent control
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Failed alternatives
• Remove the cats
- cats from nearby colonies attracted by
food/shelter (“vacuum effect”)
- cats not trapped keep reproducing
- new lost and abandoned cats arrive
• Stop feeding
- almost impossible to enforce
- cats don’t leave, find new food
sources, continue to reproduce
• Sanctuaries/adoption
- very few good sanctuaries, usually full
- expensive to run a sanctuary
- many if not most cats unadoptable
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First step – community relations
Why?
• Identify cats & feeders
• Find help
• Explain what you’re
doing & why
• Permission from
property owners
• Learn and address any
issues
10Deterrents
- Ultrasonic devices
- Motion-activated sprinklers
- Cat-proof fencing
- Tips and products at:
www.neighborhoodcats.org > How to
TNR > Colony Care > Keeping cats out
of gardens and yards
11How?
• Walk and talk
• Meetings (Community Board,
HOA, Nextdoor.com)
• Flyers, door hangers
• Meet hostility with:
1. Listening
2. Empathy
3. Solutions
12Feeding pattern
• As close to same time, same
place as you can
• Train with sound – keys, shake
crunchies, whistle, clicker
• Don’t leave food out 24/7 –
narrow the window as much
as possible
• Count the cats, note any
kittens, sick/injured, friendly
1314
Preparations for trapping
Arrange:
• Spay/neuter appointments
• Traps (and dividers)
• Transport
15Holding space
• Warm – at least 65 degrees F.
post-surgery
• Dry – protected from elements
• Secure – no access to non-
participants, pets or wildlife
Fleas are not usually an issue –
can use Capstar or generic
equivalent (active ingredient =
nitenpyram)
16Traps Long, double handles
Rear door lock
Red = required
Handguard
Sliding rear door
Spring-loaded, auto-
lock front door
Large trip plate
Tomahawk Model 606NC
www.livetrap.com
17Traps
Red = required Handguard Sliding rear door
No lock – must
use carabiner/clip
Gravity-driven
front door Large trip plate
No lock – must
use carabiner/clip
Tru-Catch Model 30LTD
www.trucatchtraps.com
18Double handles
Traps Large hand guard
Red = required Handguard
Sliding
rear door
• Attached lock
• Recessed
• 1” smaller bait
area
Gravity-driven front door Large trip plate
• Attached auto-lock
• Connected rings
• Notched trigger
Tomahawk Model GT606
www.livetrap.com
19Trap dividers
• Tomahawk TD12NC
• Tru-Catch TD-2
20Trap mats
• Pre-cut PVC: Tomahawk
• DIY: Coin Grip Metallic PVC
Flooring (amazon.com)
• Cardboard
21Small trip plate –
use cardboard extender
• Width of trap x 6 in (15 cm)
• Tape to middle of plate
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Trapping list • Traps • Trap divider • Trap mats • Sheets -1 per trap • Bait (smelly!) • Bait dishes / food boats • Plastic spoons • Duct tape • Flashlight / headlamp • Can opener • Paper towels • Garbage bags • Plastic drop cloth / tarp / Mambe blanket for floor of your vehicle • (If needed) Cardboard extenders • (For Tru-Catch traps) Carabiners – 2 per trap 24
Mass trapping
• TNR of entire colony at
once
• Most efficient method
(more work at one time, but
less overall)
• Overnight improvement
• Easier to catch last cats
• May not be possible –
basically the same
techniques will apply if
you’re trapping smaller
numbers
25Withhold food
• No feeding the day before
trapping begins
• Includes dry food
• Leave out water
• Young kittens, nursing mothers -
if it’s possible feed separately,
otherwise don’t
• Check site for compliance
2627
Trapper Tips & Tricks
Saturday, March 19, 2022, 2pm to 4pm ET
www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/We’re on a break -
back soon with Cat Trivia!
29CAT TRIVIA!
30Time for trapping
• Usually start 2 days before s/n
date – 3 if it’s a large colony
• Avoid starting the day before
• Continue while trapped cats
are gone
31Placement
• Against a structure (fence, wall,
curb) or object (bush, trash can)
• Hot spots – replace old trap with
new
• Cover feeding area, paths of travel
32Cover the trap
• Ferals calm down, feel
protected
• Once in holding space, can
uncover front and rear doors
for air flow
• Otherwise, keep covered at
all times
• Cover the traps beforehand?
We don’t, some do.
33Never leave traps
unattended
• Especially in publicly
accessible locations
• Monitor area at all times, even
in private backyard
• Check traps periodically (but
not constantly)
• Don’t stare!
• Keep track of your traps
34Large trappings
• Number the traps as cats are
trapped
• Trap log – see sample at end of
NC TNR Handbook
• Multiple locations – one log per,
assign each site a different trap
number sequence (e.g., 1-10,
20-29)
• Color code traps (labels, zip ties)
35Hard-to-catch cats
• Drop trap
• Train to go in
• Camouflage
• Ideas & details at:
www.neighborhood
cats.org > How to
TNR > Trapping >
Hard-to-catch cats
3637
THE DROP TRAP:
A TRAPPER’S BEST FRIEND
www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/
38Bottle-and-string
3940
Always use two dividers from above
41Using one divider safely – side-to-side
42Spay/neuter day
• Check for when to withhold
food & water the night before
• One cat, one trap – no carriers
• Keep covered
• Fill out forms in advance
• Check trap locks upon pickup
• Emergency number?
43Pregnant cats
• Abort/spay recommended
• Only limit = comfort level of
veterinarian
• Reasons for this policy:
- Confinement is stressful
- Too many kittens already
- Can be hard to find homes
- Kittens cost $$$
- Leaving outside increases
colony size
44Recovery
• 24 to 48 hrs (with skilled surgeon)
• Lactating/baby kittens – once
awake & alert OR hold overnight
• Extra careful – check incisions
• Look for excess bleeding, lethargic
– talk to veterinarian if concerned
45Release
• Same location where trapped
(relocation is a 2 to 3 week process)
• Spot where they can quickly go under
cover and not have to run too far
• Give a minute to acclimate before
releasing
• Can delay release if bad weather
• Some may disappear for a few days
46Feeding
• The best quality you can comfortably afford
• Mix wet with dry, always provide water
• Good value dry foods:
- 4Health All Life Stages Dry Cat Food
- Kirkland Signature Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula
- Rachel Ray Nutrish Natural Dry Cat Food
- Diamond Naturals Activate Cat Chicken Meal & Rice Formula
47Feeding stations
• Protects from elements,
keeps neat
• Discrete location
• Large opening or multiple
doors
• Options: all-weather
storage bin, rubber trash
can on its side
48Avoid:
• Feeding on the ground
• Leaving excess food behind,
esp. overnight
• Leaving empty plates, cans,
etc. – clean up!
49Wintertime feeding
• Cats need more calories in cold seasons
• May need to rely more on dry food
• Water is even more important if the main
diet is dry – for ideas on preventing
freezing:
www.neighborhoodcats.org > How to TNR >
Colony Care > Stop freezing water
• Place bowl of wet food inside shelter (but
not water!)
50Winter shelter
• Waterproof
• Good insulating materials
• Minimal air space
• Cats’ bodies act as
radiators, the shelter
captures their heat
51Ideas & plans:
www.neighborhoodcats.org
How to TNR > Colony Care >
Feral cat winter shelter
52Insulating materials inside:
• Use straw (best) or shredded
newspaper
• Do NOT use hay, towels, blankets,
folded newspaper
• Replace moist materials ASAP – if
can’t access regularly, don’t use them
• For extra-cold climates, line the
interior walls and/or floor with Mylar
blankets (use glue to attach)
53COLONY CARETAKING TIPS & TRICKS www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/ 54
January 28, 29 & 30, 2022
Register now
Starting a TNR program in your
community
Bryan Kortis, Neighborhood Cats
Pat Dames, TNR Texas
Up your game! Email fundraising
inside out
Susan Richmond, Neighborhood Cats
Bryan Kortis, Neighborhood Cats
5556
Questions?
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