Targeted Trapping
In the TNR community, targeted trapping is considered the most efficient and effective way to help as many cats as possible while spending the shortest amount of time trapping. Targeted trapping aims to trap every cat in a group or location for TNR. This will reduce free-roaming cat populations, provide human care for groups of outdoor cats, as well as help decrease euthanasia rates at local shelters.
Targeted trapping helps improve the life of all cats in a group, as well as neighbors in the surrounding areas. It leads to fewer nuisance complaints and less predation, as well as an increase of rabies vaccines, improved animal welfare, and no more kittens born in the group. Additionally, it is also easier to obtain important information such as medical records, tracking sheets, and monitoring time and money spent on trapping. This information will help you in the future, as well as help demonstrate your success.
Getting Involved
If you are already part of a TNR effort, you may be receiving calls from the public regarding community cats. Start a spreadsheet and make a record of information from callers, including things such as:
Another good idea is to petition for calls by placing an ad in the local newspaper, posting on Facebook, etc., with a number that concerned citizens can call about community cats. Use a number other than your home phone number and ensure that callers’ information will be kept private. Yard signs and door hangars are also useful for specific neighborhoods. Additionally, many animal shelters are aware of where large cat groups are located. You can try contacting them as well for further information.
Pinpointing Cat Groups
Using the information you’ve gathered from the public and/or shelters, you can determine where large cat groups are located. Using programs such as Google Maps, you can plot reported sightings and see areas and neighborhoods where residents are making reports about cats. These locations are the areas where you will want to focus your trapping efforts.
Establish a Targeted Trapping Plan
After determining the target areas, decide which one you will begin with. Do some research on the group, such as where the cats live and who is feeding them. Next, speak with the neighbors and inform them of your plan. This is an important part of the process, as this is also a time where you can listen to any concerns the neighbors may have, as well as inform them about the project. A sense of involvement among the community will mean that neighbors will more likely be cooperative and supportive of the plan. Also discuss with the neighbors about their own cats, as it is important that their cats are spayed/neutered as well. Let them know when you will be trapping, so that all pet cats can be kept indoors. If necessary, arrange for unfixed pet cats to be spayed/neutered. Then, establish a plan for the trapping, transporting, vet visits, and returning of the cats. For additional information, please refer to the TNR Step-by-Step section.
Record your Progress
Be sure to keep records for every cat you trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return or adopt, as well as all the pet cats you spayed or neutered. The more detailed records you maintain, the more successful you will be in petitioning for future contributions and recruitments, as well as demonstrating that the program is valuable to the community.
Over time, the number of cats in the groups you target will stabilize. After the trapping, encourage caregivers to continue to monitor the groups as well as trap and neuter any new cats who join the group. Obtaining positive statements from caregivers and neighbors can also serve as good evidence that the program is successful and beneficial to the community.
Targeted trapping will help keep trapping not only organized but also allow for more cats to be helped in the most effective way possible. Both community cats and neighbors alike will benefit from these efforts.
References
“Targeted Trapping-Organize Your Efforts and Help More Cats.” Alley Cat Allies, www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/targeted-trapping-organize-your-efforts-and-help-more-cats/.
Kortis, Bryan. Targeted TNR: Making an Impact . Neighborhood Cats, www.animalsheltering.org/sites/default/files/Implementing a Community TNR Program_Kortis_Bryan_2.pdf.
Targeted trapping helps improve the life of all cats in a group, as well as neighbors in the surrounding areas. It leads to fewer nuisance complaints and less predation, as well as an increase of rabies vaccines, improved animal welfare, and no more kittens born in the group. Additionally, it is also easier to obtain important information such as medical records, tracking sheets, and monitoring time and money spent on trapping. This information will help you in the future, as well as help demonstrate your success.
Getting Involved
If you are already part of a TNR effort, you may be receiving calls from the public regarding community cats. Start a spreadsheet and make a record of information from callers, including things such as:
- Full name
- Address
- Phone number
- Location of cats
- Number of cats
- Group history (how did the group start, how long ago, etc.)
- If the cats are being fed/by whom
- Owner of the property where the cats are located
- Purpose of the call (concern, desire to help, etc.)
Another good idea is to petition for calls by placing an ad in the local newspaper, posting on Facebook, etc., with a number that concerned citizens can call about community cats. Use a number other than your home phone number and ensure that callers’ information will be kept private. Yard signs and door hangars are also useful for specific neighborhoods. Additionally, many animal shelters are aware of where large cat groups are located. You can try contacting them as well for further information.
Pinpointing Cat Groups
Using the information you’ve gathered from the public and/or shelters, you can determine where large cat groups are located. Using programs such as Google Maps, you can plot reported sightings and see areas and neighborhoods where residents are making reports about cats. These locations are the areas where you will want to focus your trapping efforts.
Establish a Targeted Trapping Plan
After determining the target areas, decide which one you will begin with. Do some research on the group, such as where the cats live and who is feeding them. Next, speak with the neighbors and inform them of your plan. This is an important part of the process, as this is also a time where you can listen to any concerns the neighbors may have, as well as inform them about the project. A sense of involvement among the community will mean that neighbors will more likely be cooperative and supportive of the plan. Also discuss with the neighbors about their own cats, as it is important that their cats are spayed/neutered as well. Let them know when you will be trapping, so that all pet cats can be kept indoors. If necessary, arrange for unfixed pet cats to be spayed/neutered. Then, establish a plan for the trapping, transporting, vet visits, and returning of the cats. For additional information, please refer to the TNR Step-by-Step section.
Record your Progress
Be sure to keep records for every cat you trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return or adopt, as well as all the pet cats you spayed or neutered. The more detailed records you maintain, the more successful you will be in petitioning for future contributions and recruitments, as well as demonstrating that the program is valuable to the community.
Over time, the number of cats in the groups you target will stabilize. After the trapping, encourage caregivers to continue to monitor the groups as well as trap and neuter any new cats who join the group. Obtaining positive statements from caregivers and neighbors can also serve as good evidence that the program is successful and beneficial to the community.
Targeted trapping will help keep trapping not only organized but also allow for more cats to be helped in the most effective way possible. Both community cats and neighbors alike will benefit from these efforts.
References
“Targeted Trapping-Organize Your Efforts and Help More Cats.” Alley Cat Allies, www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/targeted-trapping-organize-your-efforts-and-help-more-cats/.
Kortis, Bryan. Targeted TNR: Making an Impact . Neighborhood Cats, www.animalsheltering.org/sites/default/files/Implementing a Community TNR Program_Kortis_Bryan_2.pdf.