Frigid Felines
Out
of the Cold
Give a warm, fuzzy paw to stray cats in the winter
By
Rebecca A. Adler
At this time of year, it’s heartbreaking to see stray cats walking around in
the cold with nowhere to go. While many kind people take them into their homes,
others can’t because of lease agreements, allergies, existing family pets, or
other factors. So they do the next best thing—take strays to a shelter or
rescue group.
But
some felines can’t be captured easily. These are feral cats, who are wild and
undomesticated. Feral cats either have never had contact with humans or have
reverted to a “wild” state after being away from humans for so long. A feral
cat is much like a raccoon: Try to approach him, and he’ll bolt. If you do
somehow get him in your arms, he’ll bite and scratch, possibly injuring you.
Feral cats can be caught with humane traps,
whose doors automatically close when the cat wanders inside (usually drawn to
food or some other bait). But once they’re caught, feral cats can take awhile
to domesticate, and shelters often don’t have the room to hold them or the
resources to provide the one-on-one attention they need to become socialized.
As a result, ferals often end up being euthanized. Recently, animal welfare
experts worldwide have realized this isn’t the best approach. When a cat colony
in the wild suddenly thins out, nature urges the remaining cats in the
neighborhood to over-breed to fill the void—a phenomenon called “the vacuum
effect.” So to discourage this scenario, many animal lovers are turning to a
more progressive solution: TNR, or trap-neuter-return.
TNR is just what it sounds like. Using
humane traps, animal rescuers or neighborhood residents trap local ferals, have
them sterilized and vaccinated, and return them to their colony. While the cat
is under anesthesia, the vet “ear-tips” her—removing about 1/8 inch of flesh from
her ear. This painless procedure indicates she’s been spayed so that future
rescuers don’t bring her in for unnecessary surgery. Alternatively, some vets
tattoo a female cat’s stomach, which can be checked before surgery.
Once the cat is returned to her colony,
caregivers provide food, water, and some sort of shelter for warmth (which
could be just a shed, garage, or even a big doghouse with straw). With this
approach, cats can live out their lives in greater comfort without breeding
endlessly. Thousands of people nationwide are using TNR to make life easier for
the millions of feral cats on
Do you have a colony of feral cats in your
neighborhood?
Here
are some steps to get started with TNR:
Step 1: Check to see
whether TNR is legal in your municipality. (In some places, such as
Step 2: Call the
Chicagoland Stray Cat Coalition at (773) 517-5199, or call your local shelter
or rescue group. You’ll get information about where to take cats for discount
veterinary care (some programs even provide it for free!). You’ll also learn
where to find humane traps (most shelters or rescues will loan them to you).
Look for traps such as the Tru-Catch 30LTD, whose light but swift trap door
ensures that tails or paws are not caught as it closes. Never try to trap a cat
in a box or with a net. Humane traps are safe—and they work!
Step 3: Place traps out
for a few days “unloaded,” or unset. This will get the neighborhood cats used
to the big metal boxes. Line the bottom of the trap with newspaper, and place
bits of food along the ground and inside each trap. This accustoms cats to
walking into it to eat, so when the trap is set, the cats will most likely
enter with ease. Great “bait” includes tuna, liverwurst, or sardines. It’s a
good idea to put a towel over the back of the trap, which allows cats to feel
privacy as they eat.
Step 4: You may want to
set the traps the day before the surgery, just to make sure you’ve allowed
enough time to attract the cats. Never leave a trap unattended or set
overnight; it could create danger for the cat or for an unwitting person who
comes along, opens it, and reaches inside! Once a feral kitty is trapped,
expect her to hiss, claw, and bang against the walls of her cage. Don’t be
alarmed, as long as she doesn’t hurt herself. Eventually, she will settle down.
If there’s not an ear tip, let the cat can remain in her cage overnight,
covered completely with a blanket or towel (this has a calming effect). It’s
best to leave her in an enclosed porch or garage—someplace safe, warm, and out
of reach of animals or other people.
Step 5: Take the cat to
the clinic. Once he’s home, monitor him closely. Cats can recover in their
traps, which should be covered and kept warm. Include food and water if the
trap easily allows them to be slipped in. The newspaper will help absorb any
waste from the cat. Generally, traps are two to four feet long, so the cat can
usually get away from his own waste.
Step 6: Generally, males
can be released after 24 hours, while females may need a little longer to
recover, but always follow the vet’s directions. Once the cat is ready, take him
to his colony, open the rear door, and step away. The cat will probably bolt.
Don’t worry about being attacked; a feral cat keeps his distance.
Step 7: Continue daily
colony care. Provide shelter and fresh food and water daily. With a snug
shelter lined with insulating straw and placed out of the wind, cats can burrow
in, curl up, and keep warm. Finally, congratulate yourself on doing your part
to help end the pet overpopulation crisis by practicing TNR! For more
information on how to build an inexpensive shelter, set a trap, and create community
support for TNR, contact any of these organizations:
•
Chicagoland Stray Cat Coalition:
(773)
517-5199 or www.ChicagolandStrays.org
•
Spay and Stay:
(847)
289-4557 or www.SpayAndStay.org
•
Alley Cat Allies:
(202)
667-3630 or www.AlleyCat.org
•
Neighborhood Cats:
(212)
662-5761 or www.NeighborhoodCats.org
•
(800)
426-1528 or www.sfspca.org
Note: Tru-Catch traps are available
from Heart of the Earth Marketing, (800) 526-1644 or www.Animal-Traps.com.
