How to Help Shelters Implement TNR Programs
Many shelters across the United States lack TNR or RTF programs, which ultimately means that feral cats who enter these shelters will almost surely face certain death. Therefore, it is more important than ever for you to advocate on behalf of these cats and help your local shelters implement TNR or RTF programs of their own.
Prior to speaking with your shelter, meet with other community members with similar goals and form a group which advocates for feral cats and TNR. The more people you can find to join you in your cause will demonstrate that this mission is a shared community goal. Creating a Facebook group or sending out emails are simple and effective ways to reach members of the community that share your desire for change.
The first step in saving lives is for your shelter to adopt a Feral Cat Protection Policy. This means that the shelter will no longer impound community cats. In conjunction with this new policy, work with your shelter to help them establish a TNR program for community cats. Similarly, adopting related policies such as recognizing eartipping, establishing a trap loan program, creating community partnerships, and operating a low-cost spay/neuter clinic.
When discussing these proposed changes with your shelter, be sure to provide them with factsheets which explain how they can implement these changes, as well as why it is so beneficial for the cats, the shelter’s staff and volunteers, and the community. Pledge your commitment to helping your shelter enact these new policies for cats. Seek out rescue groups and community partners who can financially assist the shelter as well as help return cats to their owners or adopting them out.
Preparing for the Meeting
Prior to speaking with your shelter, meet with other community members with similar goals and form a group which advocates for feral cats and TNR. The more people you can find to join you in your cause will demonstrate that this mission is a shared community goal. Creating a Facebook group or sending out emails are simple and effective ways to reach members of the community that share your desire for change.
The first step in saving lives is for your shelter to adopt a Feral Cat Protection Policy. This means that the shelter will no longer impound community cats. In conjunction with this new policy, work with your shelter to help them establish a TNR program for community cats. Similarly, adopting related policies such as recognizing eartipping, establishing a trap loan program, creating community partnerships, and operating a low-cost spay/neuter clinic.
When discussing these proposed changes with your shelter, be sure to provide them with factsheets which explain how they can implement these changes, as well as why it is so beneficial for the cats, the shelter’s staff and volunteers, and the community. Pledge your commitment to helping your shelter enact these new policies for cats. Seek out rescue groups and community partners who can financially assist the shelter as well as help return cats to their owners or adopting them out.
Preparing for the Meeting
- Do your research. Familiarize yourself on common talking points on TNR and community cats. Also be ready to field frequently asked questions and provide corresponding answers.
- Bring resources, such as copies of educational materials and details on how to start a TNR program.
- Show the proof by bringing a few examples of other shelters that have had success with TNR programs. If possible, include statistics on decreased intake numbers, increased adoption rates, etc. Ideally, include information from local shelters that have had success with TNR.
- Reserve judgement and remain positive. Maintain a positive and friendly attitude and be helpful whenever possible. Remember that the shelter staff want the best for the animals but they may be dealing with a number of limitations and challenges.
- Be a good listener. Certain words or phrases may help shed light on issues that the shelter staff have, and you may be able to comment on or clarify their concerns. Take notes of any questions the staff has, and answer the question if you know the answer, or let them know you will get back to them after you’ve done some research.
- Be understanding. Many shelters have had the same practices and programs for years, and shelter staff may struggle to see how this new approach could be beneficial for them. Be respectful of this mindset, but also reassure them that it is doable and that you and the community are there for them to offer assistance and support.
- Offer connections. Provide contact information for your group or other groups that may be able to help. Additionally, many non-profit TNR organizations provide training to shelter staff via webinars and conferences.
- Suggest a pilot program. Before implementing a community-wide TNR program, propose that the shelter adopt a pilot program. A pilot program focuses TNR on one or two neighborhoods, and are designed to be effective while requiring a minimum commitment level of resources and volunteers. Pilot programs are also a good way to demonstrate to shelters that TNR does work. Ultimately, there is a greater likelihood of a shelter implementing a TNR program if the pilot is effective.
- Be grateful for baby steps. If the shelter agrees to implement a pilot program, thank them and continue to work with them to guarantee that there is enough time and resources to demonstrate how TNR is beneficial to cats, the shelter, and the community.
- Request a follow up meeting. If no agreement was reached or there are still outstanding questions, a second meeting is particularly important. If all of the details were resolved, it is still important to continue communication and relationship building.
- Send thank you notes to the staff members you met with, thanking them for their time. Also include a summary of the program and policies that you are advocating for, and answer any outstanding questions. Including a list of helpful resources is also a good idea.
- Continue building the relationship. Stay in contact with the shelter staff, even if there isn’t another meeting scheduled. Based on their receptiveness, you can also send new stories on TNR programs and any other materials they may find helpful.