TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN (TNR) AND COLONY CARE

Transcription

2 Kathleen O Malley TNR Community Outreach Manager ASPCA kathleen.omalley@aspca.org

3 Learning Objectives Learn about feral cats, their history and behavior Learn the steps of humane trapping and post-surgery care See how a box trap is used Learn the basics of caring for a cat colony Learn how to build good relationships with neighbors and help the cats be good neighbors For NYC ers: Learn how to register with the Mayor s Alliance for NYC s Animals for TNR certification and be eligible for caretaker benefits

4 Elements of this Training Package Download the Guide to Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and Colony Care (hard copy also available upon request) Webinar with videos o Helping Community Cats o Trapping Cats: How to Trap an Entire Colony o Community Relations: How to Talk about Feral Cats NYC Community Cat Resource Guide NYC Community Cats and the Law fact sheet ASPCA Terms of Use agreement

5 Helping Community Cats This video provides an overview of feral cats, their behavior, and why we do TNR.

6 Taking Them to the Shelter Won t Help You Or the Cats Feral cats cannot be adopted into human homes, so when they are brought to a shelter they are often killed. Trap-and-kill, trap-and-relocate policies create a vacuum. New, unneutered cats will move into the territory and breed to form a new colony: the Vacuum Effect.

7 Taking Them to the Shelter Won t Help You Or the Cats In NYC, Animal Care & Control does not pick up healthy community cats, only those who are injured, sick, in danger, or a danger to humans. People in NYC may bring cats in traps to AC&C, but these cats can be returned to their colonies via the Eartip Alerts from Neighborhood Cats.

8 Summary: Benefits of TNR Less Cats Less Noise TNR Less Smell Free Natural Rodent Control and they end up healthier

9 Summary: Feral vs. Stray Cats STRAY May approach people, houses, porches, or cars May be vocal, meow, or answer your voice Will be visible primarily during the daytime Will probably be dirty or disheveled. Less likely to have an eartip FERAL Will not approach and will likely seek hiding places to avoid people Unlikely to meow, beg, or purr More likely to be nocturnal; occasionally out during the day Will probably have a clean, well-kept coat (unless ill or injured). Will likely have an eartip if neutered as part of a TNR program Note: a larger version of this chart is on pp of the handbook.

10 Where Do Community Cats Come From? Female cats can become pregnant at 4-5 months of age Abandoned or lost pet cats are often intact Conservative estimate: One unspayed female = 100 to 400 community cats in 7 years Owned cats: 80% neutered Community cats: 3% neutered across the U.S.

11 Trapping Cats How to Trap an Entire Colony This video shows a TNR effort from start to finish and provides an overview of the ins and outs of the process.

12 Summary: The Steps of TNR 1. Planning and Preparation 2. Trapping 3. Going to the Vet 4. Post-Surgery Care 5. Returning Cats 6. Ongoing Colony Care & Neighbor Relations

13 Summary: Creating a Plan (See pp. 3-9 in the handbook) Count and assess the cats Line up a veterinarian Set up a holding & recovery area Obtain equipment Pay attention to the weather Coordinate with other caretakers Talk to the neighbors Contingency plans (kittens; nursing, pregnant, ill, injured, or friendly cats) Regular feeding schedule Withhold food for 24 hours before trapping Confirm the right transportation Get a trapping buddy

14 TNR Tips: Counting Cats While feeding, start a log describing each cat and kitten, and note any possible medical issues. Taking photographs will help you catalogue and differentiate the cats. (See the tracking sheet on page 90 of the handbook.)

15 TNR Tips: Contingency Plans (See handbook) Nursing Mothers (p. 74) Spay and release ASAP (Kittens survive 36 hrs+ without milk) Selectively trap around mom, trap her & kittens after weaning

16 TNR Tips: Contingency Plans (See handbook) Pregnant Cats (p. 75) Spaying recommended; it may be your only chance Confining a pregnant/nursing feral cat is stressful for her, you, and possibly harmful to the kittens

17 TNR Tips: Contingency Plans (See handbook) Kittens (p. 62) If 8 weeks old or under, adopt out for "easy win in the community Always trap, never grab kittens

18 TNR Tips: Contingency Plans (See handbook) Ill or Injured Cats (p. 39) Plan for care and/or decisions Verify what services are available at the clinic

19 TNR Tips: Contingency Plans (See handbook) Friendly Cats (p. 52) Will you try to find homes? Or eartip and return semi-socialized cats Can always bring them in off the street later

20 Summary: The Steps of Trapping Set up and prepare for trapping Label traps; line trap bottoms if desired Place traps carefully in usual feeding spots Bait traps Set traps Keep track of traps at all times Get away and stay quiet Cover trapped cats quickly Selective trapping and hard-to-trap cats Count traps Safe transport

21 Setting a Trap Watch Kathleen set a Tomahawk trap and then a Safeguard trap.

22 TNR Tips: Trapping If feeding out of unset traps to get cats used to seeing and walking into them, make sure the trap is hidden and secured against theft, and make sure the swinging door is secured open and the back door is removed. Test all trap doors, trip plates and locks before trapping to ensure safe operation and that no cats are lost.

23 TNR Tips: Trapping Bait Suggestions Note that if cats are not taken to surgery on trapping day, you can use more bait and will be providing food and water and cleaning the traps twice daily. (see pp in the handbook for in-trap care) See pp in the handbook for more ideas on what to use (sardines, dry food, catnip, etc.).

24 TNR Tips: Recovery Space & Vetting Note: the trapping video recommends against having cats eat in traps because it s assumed they will go straight to surgery. However, trapping 1-3 days in advance of surgery gives more time to ensure all cats are trapped, and time to log any issues a vet might need to look at while the cat is under anesthesia.

25 TNR Tips: Recovery Space & Vetting In NYC, you must find your own recovery space. See the handbook (p. 4) and NYC Resources brochure for guidelines on what to look for, and reach out to other caretakers for ideas or leads on space.

26 Summary: Pre-Surgical Care (See pp in the book) 1 3 days before surgery Keep cats in covered traps Line with clean newspaper Feed wet food & change newspaper 2x daily Always use a trap divider to feed & clean 2 dividers is best Use trap cover to get the cat to move to other end of trap May need to nudge a cat with the divider, but never touch the cat! Place food & water after cleaning to minimize spillage Remove all food the night before surgery per vet s instructions o Kittens <4 months may eat a few hours before surgery At the end of your shift, make sure all traps are fastened securely!

27 Special Case: Two Cats in One Trap (See page 16 of the handbook) Use a trap divider to separate cats Cover the trap Line new trap up w/first trap with sliding doors touching Ensure traps won t separate Cover the new trap Open the doors of both traps Lift cover off the front of the first trap Close doors as soon as the cat enters the new trap Lock doors of both traps Remove the divider & cover the first trap.

28 Tips: Vetting & Post-Operative Care Rabies vaccines: Always ask the clinic you are using for the duration of the rabies vaccine. Please consult your clinic re holding times; we recommend 1-2 days for males, 2-3 days for females. Your clinic should issue post-surgery instructions and contact information in case complications arise. The vet should advise you if there was a complicated surgery or any underlying health issues.

29 Tips: Vetting & Post-Operative Care Since cats will be held in traps for multiple days, proper cleaning, feeding, and watering are essential. Be sure to read the handbook chapter on In-Trap Care (pp ) for instructions on use of trap dividers to ensure your and the cats safety. See the handbook for instructions on cleaning traps after cats are returned (p. 21).

30 Additional Post-Op Resources Handbook pp Postoperative Care for Feral Cats ASPCApro 20-minute tutorial More information on ensuring safe recovery and return of the cats

31 Colony Care Best Practices (See handbook, pp ) 1. Completing Trap-Neuter Return of the Entire Colony 2. Conducting Maintenance Trapping on New Cats 3. Providing Food and Water 4. Providing Shelter 5. Monitoring Members of the Colony and Providing Ongoing Health Care 6. Planning for Consistent Colony Care: Establishing a Network of Caretakers 7. Helping Cats and People to Coexist see video

32 Community Relations: How to Talk about Feral Cats (See handbook, pp )

33 TNR Tips: NYC Community Relations (Also see handbook, pp ) See Community Cats & the Law info-sheet to learn about poisoning and exterminators in NY. Advice and guidance are available locally. See the NYC Resources brochure for contact information at the Mayor s Alliance Feral Cat Initiative and other agencies. Downloadable and printed outreach materials in English and other languages are available from the Mayor s Alliance Feral Cat Initiative and Alley Cat Allies nycferalcat.org and alleycat.org Note: In NYC, caretakers can call 311 or 911 regarding animal cruelty issues.

34 Congratulations! You are now qualified to become a Certified TNR Caretaker in New York City. Please visit the NYC Feral Cat Initiative website to claim your certification. After you watch the webinar, check your in-box for information on how to register as a Certified TNR Caretaker in NYC. Once certified, please sign your Terms of Use agreement to use the ASPCA spay/neuter clinic and other services. Don t forget to register your colony, for the safety and wellbeing of your cats. Please refer to your NYC Resource Guide for more information on the services available to you as a Certified TNR Caretaker.