Topics covered include nutrition, shelter, arranging spay/neuter, caring for trapped cats, socializing kittens, finding good adoptive homes, keeping cats out of gardens, winter care, establishing good community relations and much more. Of course, trapping is discussed in-depth with recommendations for equipment and special tips and tricks for getting those hard-to-catch cats, nursing mothers and litters of kittens.
In her foreword, Anitra Frazier (author of "The New Natural Cat") writes, "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."
The 32 minute video on mass trapping complements the handbook by providing a visual guide to the TNR of an entire feral cat colony at once. Each step in the process is demonstrated using footage from actual Neighborhood Cats projects, including establishing a feeding pattern, finding a holding space, caring for cats in traps, trapping, eartipping, post-op recovery and release.
In addition to the handbook and video, other materials are available on the same ASPCA link and can be downloaded at no cost. These include a comprehensive TNR policy argument designed for presentation to municipal and animal control officials, a guide to implementation of a community-wide TNR program, and a sample TNR workshop outline.
Both the policy presentation and workshop outline can be easily adapted to your community.
"Our goal was to put in one kit all the knowledge and training we've learned in our five years of working hands-on with feral cats and successfully advocating for TNR programs," said Bryan Kortis, executive director of Neighborhood Cats. "Groups and individuals no longer have to search throughout the Internet to find answers to basic questions. Whether you're trying to figure out how to persuade your town council to allow TNR or catch that last elusive feline who won't go in a trap, it's all here."
