TNR Handbook - Neighborhood Cats

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• Community development techniques The Neighborhood Cats TNR Handbook 1. Walk and talk One way to gauge the prevailing attitude in a community towards the cats, as well as learn about the history of the colony, is walk around and talk to people. Talk to doormen, superintendents, store owners, parking lot attendants, local residents whose front or backyards are part of the cats’ territory, the closest veterinarian, people you notice stopping and watching the cats – anyone who might be acquainted with the felines. The idea is to gather as much information as possible: How many cats are there? Who feeds them? When? How often? How did the situation start? Has anyone tried to do anything about it before? How do people feel about the cats – welcoming, hostile, indifferent? If you come across someone friendly to your cause, try to get their contact information or give them yours – down the road you may need their help or they may have more information for you. Stay alert for people who might help feed or trap, or who want to donate food, money or holding space. During this “get acquainted” phase, explain to people what TNR is and let them know you are organizing a TNR project. Keep repeating the mantra, “No more kittens, no more noise, no more odor.” Refer those interested to resources where they can learn more about TNR, such as feral cat websites. If you can, make up business cards and keep your appearance neat and clean. The more professional an image you convey, the more effectively your message will be delivered. 2. Deal calmly with hostility and resistance Often, a feral cat problem will come to your attention after a crisis situation has already developed – there are too many cats, people can’t sleep at night because of the yowling, piles of unsightly empty cat food cans litter the block, backyards can’t be used because of the smell. These are all typical signs of an out-of-control, unmanaged colony. Most people affected by these conditions will resent the cats and blame anyone who feeds them for keeping them there. Their attitude towards you, a cat-friendly person, may at first also be hostile and confrontational. Anticipating and dealing well with this kind of hostility is essential, especially if the person or agency involved has the authority to allow or prevent a TNR project. The key is not to take it personally and be hostile in return, as difficult as it may be to hold back a good retort. Instead, try to understand why someone might be frustrated and unhappy with the cats. Put yourself in the place of those complaining – if cats fighting woke you up every night at 2 a.m., if your garden had become the neighborhood litter box or if the laundry room in your building stank from the spray of unaltered male cats, you might be resentful, too. Especially if no one took your grievances seriously or ever offered a solution. Don’t argue with those who voice these complaints, but listen carefully. Openly sympathize with what they’ve had to deal with and explain how TNR will help and why trying to permanently remove the cats from the area will just end up with new cats and the same old problems. Point out the benefit of the cats’ natural rodent control. Most people calm down and respond well when they see their side of the story is being heard. When they understand there’s a way to keep the cats and lose the problems, most are willing to give it a try. 11
The Neighborhood Cats TNR Handbook There will be times when someone in a position of authority won’t agree to TNR no matter how well you perform your role as advocate. Don’t give up easily. Try to get others who are more “official” than you to speak to the person, such as a representative from a local animal welfare organization. If you still don’t get anywhere, keep the lines of communication open. Eventually, if other attempts at resolving the feral cat situation fail, the person or agency may become more open to trying TNR. You want to remain available to help in the event that happens. 3. Hold community meetings If your work involves an apartment building, make an appointment to meet whoever is in charge - the landlord, the co-op board or the superintendent. If it’s a government facility, locate the manager or top on-site official and find out whom you need to get permission from. Then try to meet with them. If it’s an entire neighborhood that you’re targeting, schedule a meeting at a local coffee shop and post flyers announcing it around the area. When holding a community meeting, invite everyone interested in the cats, pro and con. If you can get the hostile people to attend, you have an opportunity to change minds. Find out if there is a local Community Board. If so, call up and get on the agenda for the next meeting. Be prepared to speak for a few minutes and have a suggested list of volunteer activities, such as providing a holding space, and a sign up sheet. The people who regularly attend these Board meetings are among the most active members of the community and the most willing to help out. Churches, libraries or the offices of local elected officials could be asked to host a meeting. Getting the backing of recognized community leaders - like the mayor, a council member, a respected priest - is a plus, so try to meet with them, too, and ask for their endorsement. Check with your local police precinct to see if they have a community affairs officer. These officers can be helpful in a variety of ways, from helping gain the cooperation of others to reserving parking space for a mobile spay/neuter van. 4. Send a community appeal letter One technique for informing people of your work and gaining their support is a letter addressed to everyone in the neighborhood. Real estate brokers have the names and addresses of all residents in a particular area. If you know someone in the business, ask if you can use the list to do a mailing. Or else slip the letter under everyone’s door. The letter should explain the current problems going on with the cats, what TNR is, and how you intend to use TNR to solve the situation. Include a contact number for yourself or the organization you’re working with. Mention ways that people can help. 5. Post informational flyers A one page flyer describing TNR and how you propose to implement it in your neighborhood is another way to build support. Keep it simple and easy to read (don’t use small type) and list contact info. Post it on bulletin boards, permissible public areas, veterinarians’ offices and local animal shelters. 12
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Page 3 and 4: Contents The Neighborhood Cats TNR
Page 7 and 8: Foreword The Neighborhood Cats TNR
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• Directions for use by Laura Bur
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10. Caring for Cats in Traps The Ne
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13. Return to the Colony The Neighb
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16. Feral Cat Resources Neighborhoo
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TNR Handbook - Neighborhood Cats

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