The T-N-R Guide for Adult Feral Cats
What is a feral cat?
A feral cat is a cat who lives his or her life outdoors, with little or no direct human contact. Most have never known anything other than an outside existence; they have typically descended from a long line of feral predecessors. Feral cats avoid human contact, and cannot be touched by strangers.
Feral cats deserve our help to have the best life possible under their challenging circumstances.
Trapping, Neutering, and Returning (TNR) is the most humane and effective way of controlling feral cat populations. A well-planned and executed TNR program helps to create stable colonies, which in turn helps to curtail the overall feline overpopulation problem, reducing the total number of homeless cats.
Why TNR?
- You can’t create a vacuum. Feral cat colonies typically form because there is a food source and/or some form of shelter. If ferals are removed from an area, other cats will quickly discover this, and move in to take advantage of the available resources. Permanently removing feral cats therefore only temporarily solves the problem.
- TNR has been used with success across the U.S. and all over the world, and is the preferred method of control for feral cat populations in England, Denmark and many other forward-thinking countries.
- TNR is more cost-effective than trapping and killing feral cats. The average cost of sterilization is $35, while the average cost of euthanasia is $105. Plus, as mentioned above, killing feral cats does not get rid of them permanently; more cats simply move in and take up residence, replacing those who were removed.
- Feral cat colonies that are vaccinated and sterilized pose no rabies threat to humans (raccoons, skunks, and bats are the most common carriers of rabies) and will deter other feral cats from moving into the area.
- A managed feral colony (one which is supplied with food by dedicated caregivers) poses less of a threat to local wildlife populations as they are regularly fed.
The Guide
Obtain Humane Traps
Humane traps can be purchased from many sources. Tomahawk Live Trap sells a variety of sizes, as well as transfer cages. The trap which works best is a Deluxe Transfer Trap, which has a rear sliding door. Having your own traps and transfer cages is definitely a worthwhile investment if you foresee doing multiple TNR projects.
If you do not own traps and do not want to purchase them, many local shelters do offer traps for rent. PAWS Chicago rents out traps for a refundable deposit (credit card or personal check) and will fully refund your deposit upon the return of the trap(s). Call 773-521-SPAY (7729) to learn more and arrange to pick up a trap.
Schedule Spay/Neuter Appointments
While an appointment for surgery at the PAWS Chicago Lurie Clinic is not mandatory, we appreciate your making an appointment if at all possible. Cats must be at least 2 months old and weigh 2 lbs. or more. PAWS Chicago offers free surgery for feral cats with a $17 charge for ear tipping, vaccinations, deworming and other services.
Call 773-521-SPAY (7729) to learn more and schedule your appointments.
Prepare The Traps
At your trapping location, unlatch the trap’s rear door, and remove it so you can reach inside. Fold a newspaper lengthwise and place it inside the bottom of the trap.
Place approximately one tablespoon of bait (sardines, tuna, or “kitty junk food” like Friskies) along the very back of the trap, then drizzle some juice from the bait along the trap towards the entrance in a zigzag pattern. Place about one-fourth teaspoon of bait in the middle of the trap on the trip-plate, and one-fourth teaspoon about six inches inside the front of the trap.
The cat will move along the length of the bait trail to spring the trap. It is important not to leave too much bait in the front or middle; this may satisfy the cat and he will eat and depart without setting off the trap.
Set The Trap
Place the trap on stable ground and “set” it. Try to think like a cat and place the trap in a tempting spot. If someone has been feeding in the area, placing the trap where the food is normally left is a good strategy. Cover the trap with a large towel and retreat to a distance to wait and watch (ferals are unlikely to enter a trap if you are standing nearby).
Be patient. It may take the cat some time to discover the trap and go in. Make sure the trap is sprung and the cat securely trapped before you approach; if you reappear too soon, you may frighten the cat away. NEVER leave the area entirely with traps still set. A cat (or any other animal) who springs the trap and is caught inside is totally vulnerable.
If for some reason you are unsuccessful, dismantle the set trap and come back to try again the next day.
Place Cats In Holding Area
You will need to organize a place to keep the trapped cat until you drop him off for his clinic appointment. Make sure this is a dry, warm, safe place. A basement or isolated room is ideal. Never leave a trapped cat outdoors in any kind of excessively hot or cold weather. A simple guideline: If it is too hot/cold outside for you, then it is too hot/cold for the cat.
Ideally you should trap in the evening, so you’ll only need to keep the cat in the trap overnight at the longest. Don’t be alarmed if the cat is thrashing around inside the trap—this is normal. Keeping the trap covered will help to keep the cat as calm as possible.
Bring Cats To Spay/Neuter Clinic
The PAWS Chicago Lurie Family spay/neuter clinic is located at 3516 W. 26th St. Drop off time is between 6:45 and 9:00 a.m. Pick up time is between 4:00-5:30 p.m. After surgery, allow the cat to recover overnight inside the trap, still covered.
Female cats usually need to be held for 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Male cats can be returned to the trapping site 12 to 24 hours following surgery as long as they are fully awake and do not require further medical attention. Make sure all cats are fully conscious and alert before release.
Return
Release the cat in the same place you trapped him. Open the front or rear door of the trap, then walk away. Do not be concerned if the cat hesitates a few moments before leaving. He is simply re-orienting himself to his surroundings. Always return cats to the same location where you trapped them; releasing them into a different area can endanger their lives, as they will try to return to their previous home, possibly becoming lost, or attempting to cross major roads to get there.
If a feral colony absolutely must be relocated (i.e., their existing location is being made uninhabitable), it is possible to do this, but there are additional steps you need to take. Please contact PAWS Chicago at 773.521.1408 ext. 226 for additional guidance if you discover a colony which needs to be relocated.
Visit Alley Cat Allies’ website for comprehensive information on TNR.
Possibly Related Posts:
- Forclosure Pets
- The Guide to Taming Feral Kittens
- Behind the Scenes of the PAWS Admissions Program
- Giving up your Pet?
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