TNR Handbook - Neighborhood Cats

Recommendations

Info

The Neighborhood Cats TNR Handbook Chapter Fifteen: Adoptable Cats 91 Determining if a cat is adoptable 91 Abandoned domestic cats 91 Feral kittens 92 Friendly adult ferals 93 Veterinary care for adoptable cats 93 Socializing feral kittens 93 Socializing feral adults 95 Should you try? 95 Socialization techniques for adult ferals 96 Finding good homes: adoption procedures 97 Chapter 16: Feral Cat Resources 100 Neighborhood Cats educational materials 100 Websites 101 Books 101 Appendices Poison poster 102 The Neighborhood Cats winter shelter (instructions) 103 TNR trapping log 108 iv
Foreword The Neighborhood Cats TNR Handbook “If we keep ‘em in a cage, at least they’ll be safe.” This has been the reasoning of numerous well meaning cat rescuers in the past. Surely the operative words here are “at least” for we would have to admit that, for an animal or a young child or any of us, a lot more than safety is required if anything resembling a normal, healthy life is our goal. Happily, there is a better way, a veritable winwin situation. For feral cats, TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) is the answer. My own concept of feral cats was limited by the glimpses I had caught of them over the years. Pitiful, thin creatures with runny eyes and weeping sores. Most of them were sick or lame, scurrying along the alleys or underneath the cars parked at the curb. My heart broke but what could I do if the cats wouldn’t even let me come close. It was Bryan Kortis who explained TNR to me and showed me my first managed feral cat colony. Late on a midwinter afternoon when the temperature was below freezing with ice underfoot and a promise of more snow tomorrow, Bryan led me through a maze of Upper West Side alleys and courtyards, around rows of garbage cans and under rusty fire escapes. I had steeled my mind and emotions for the pitiful sight I knew I was about to witness. Was I ever in for a surprise! We rounded the last corner into a small courtyard. To my left the space was enclosed by a three-foot stone wall topped by an enormous chain link fence. I scarcely had time to turn to my right where four large Styrofoam boxes were held up off the ground by stacks of bricks, because one second after we rounded that corner, a series of furry bodies exploded out of those boxes, hit the pavement, streaked for the fence, flew up, cleared the top, hit the ground running on the other side and disappeared into the twilight of the alleys beyond. In the four or five seconds that they had been visible, I had seen bright eyes, rich, thick furs, rippling muscles and a feat of athletic prowess I had never imagined possible for a cat. My heart leapt for joy. “They’re beautiful,” I cried. “They’re healthy and clean and strong.” “They’re a managed colony,” Bryan replied. He led me over to the Styrofoam boxes. “These are insulated shelters. They cost about twenty-five dollars each. Stick your hand inside. Don’t worry, the cats have all gone.” I peeled the glove off my icy fingers and reached through the little round door in the side. The box was like an oven! Now, with this handbook, anyone can manage a feral colony. Everybody’s ferals can be strong and happy and proud. The book is beautifully organized; the instructions are crystal clear and logical. May your path be as full of wonder and laughter as mine has been ever since that winter evening when I discovered the intriguing world of feral cats. Anitra Frazier (author, The New Natural Cat) October, 2004 v
Page 1 and 2: The Neighborhood Cats TNR Handbook
Page 3 and 4: Contents The Neighborhood Cats TNR
Page 5: The Neighborhood Cats TNR Handbook
Page 35 and 36: 6. Winter Shelter The Neighborhood
Page 45 and 46: 8. Trapping The Neighborhood Cats T
Page 47 and 48: This is easily gotten around by tap
Page 57 and 58:
The Neighborhood Cats TNR Handbook
Page 59 and 60:
Page 61 and 62:
Page 63 and 64:
• Hard-to-catch cats The Neighbor
Page 65 and 66:
Page 67 and 68:
Page 69 and 70:
• Directions for use by Laura Bur
Page 71 and 72:
Page 73 and 74:
10. Caring for Cats in Traps The Ne
Page 75 and 76:
Page 77 and 78:
Page 79 and 80:
Page 81 and 82:
Page 83 and 84:
Page 85 and 86:
Page 87 and 88:
Page 89 and 90:
Page 91 and 92:
13. Return to the Colony The Neighb
Page 93 and 94:
14. Relocation & Sanctuaries • Re
Page 95 and 96:
Page 97 and 98:
Page 99 and 100:
Page 101 and 102:
Page 103 and 104:
Page 105 and 106:
Page 107 and 108:
16. Feral Cat Resources Neighborhoo
Page 109 and 110:
Page 111 and 112:
Page 113 and 114:
Page 115:
show all

TNR Handbook - Neighborhood Cats

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?