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for this purpose. Once you can talk about TNR in a knowledgeable manner, you’ll beable to effectively use the community development techniques described below. Community development techniques1. Walk and talkOne way to gauge the prevailing attitudes towards the cats in a neighborhood, as wellas learn about the history of the colony, is by walking around and talking to people. Talkto doormen, superintendents, store owners, parking lot attendants, local residents whosefront or backyards are part of the cats’ territory, the closest veterinarian, people younotice 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? Whofeeds them? When? How often? How did the situation start? Has anyone tried to doanything about it before? How do people feel about the cats – welcoming, hostile,indifferent? If you come across someone friendly to your cause, get their contactinformation or give them yours – down the road you may need their help or they mayhave more information for you. Stay alert for people who might help feed or trap, or whowant to donate food, money or holding space.During this “get acquainted” phase, explain to people what TNR is and let them knowyou are organizing a TNR project. Keep repeating the mantra, “No more kittens, nomore noise, no more odor.” Where relevant, emphasize the natural rodent controlprovided by the cats. Refer those who are interested to resources where they can learnmore about TNR, such as the Neighborhood Cats website (www.neighborhoodcats.org).If you can, make up business cards – see Vistaprint.com (www.vistaprint.com) for a wayto design and print cards inexpensively. Keep your appearance neat and clean. The moreprofessional an image you convey, the more effectively your message will be delivered.2. Deal calmly with hostility and resistanceOften, a feral cat problem will come to your attention after a crisis situation hasalready developed – there are too many cats, people can’t sleep at night because of theyowling, piles of unsightly empty cat food cans litter the block, backyards can’t be usedbecause of the smell. These are all typical signs of an out-of-control, unmanaged colony.Many people affected by these conditions will resent the cats and blame anyone whofeeds them for their continued presence. Their attitude towards you, a cat-friendlyperson, may at first be hostile and even confrontational. Anticipating this kind ofhostility and dealing with it well is essential, especially if the person or agency which isupset has the authority to decide whether a TNR project moves forward or not.The key is not to take anything said personally and be hostile in return, as difficult asit may be to hold back a good retort. Instead, try to understand why someone might befrustrated and unhappy with the cats. Put yourself in the place of those who arecomplaining – if cats fighting woke you up every night at 2 a.m., if your garden had17