Advice Needed, new to TNR

I am looking for some advice from experienced rescuers, here. I have never lived in a place with any noticeable colonies of feral cats before.

The house next door to ours has been for sale, and unoccupied, for several months now. I'm seeing (and hearing) more and more evidence of cats living in the overgrown yard as time goes on. These are very shy, skinny cats who run from me on sight, unlike the indoor/outdoor pet cats in the neighborhood. With the economy the way it is & the fact that this neighborhood is rapidly going downhill, it doesn't seem likely that anyone will buy that house soon. I would like to start feeding and TNRing these cats to try to control the population, but I'm not sure where to start.

There are some complications:
1. I would rather not draw them into our back yard, as we have dogs. I was thinking of putting food (and traps when needed) in the front yard on the line between our property and the one where the cats are living. Does this sound like a reasonable solution?

2. I live with my parents. I don't think they would object to my TNR project, but any tips for helping to explain it and put in the best light possible would be wonderful.

3. Is it likely that I could get into any kind of legal trouble doing this (for me or the cats)? I'm just not sure what's the best way to proceed, and safest for all concerned.

4. Is there any way to avoid feeding the neighborhood pets too? There are a few cats that I often see in their own yards - calm, well-fed and friendly. I want to help the cats who need it, but I don't need to make my neighbors' kitties fat.

I know this is a long post, thanks for reading and for any advice you can give!

1. Sounds great, cats will usually come to where the food is

2. There are a load of feral cat websites with lots of information, Alley cat Allies is a great one, Feral Cat Coalition etc, there are some links here

3. According to this group's website (KittiCo) Dallas has set up an approved Feral Cat Program which has rescue groups listed through it, they could probably tell you the legalities of it. They can also lend you traps to catch them and they have a feral speuter program

4. There is no way to avoid feeding neighbourhood cats, but I would hope they keep them in after daark, you could feed the ferals then but don't leave food down all night or you could attract other wildlife

What a wonderful thing to do!

Eithne already provided good links/resources for you, but if you have any more questions or need help with anything specific - or just want to keep us posted or want support through it, please let us know!

I'd just clarify a bit on the timing of the feeding... if you're around late afternoon, I'd put the food down then and pick it up just before it gets dark, or as soon as you can around then. Food left out will attract all kinds of animals, not just cats. I don't know what kind of wildlife can be a problem there, but up here it's not just other cats, it's dogs, skunks, raccoons, and bears.

If you can also reliably put out food in the morning - the earlier the better - and pick it up after an hour or two, it will make trapping a LOT easier. Having them coming when you want them in the trap and can transport them directly to be neutered works out well. If you trap them at night, you need to have some place protected (like a garage) where you can set down the trap with the cat in it for the night until the clinic is open the next day - and the cat may just hunker down, scared as heck - or it may howl and cry. If they have to remain in the trap overnight, use a light blanket to cover the trap, leaving only the ends open. This will help calm them.

But the feeding - pick the time(s) you can be most regular about it, as they'll learn when to come for the food.

Also, we always wash the trap inbetween trappings, and we then spray the trap with a few squirts of Feliway in various places. It removes the smell of frightened cats, and replaces it with "friendly," calming smells.

One other thing we had to learn the hard way.... when you transport the cat in the trap, put down large doggie wee wee pads on the seat of the car so the area the trap will sit (and make sure it is secure - we pull seatbelts around it) is completely covered - we've found quite a few terrified cats that pee or poop - or both. Leave front windows cracked a little - so there is some air movement but it's not "windy" in the car. Again, use the light blanket to cover the trap, leaving the ends open. Talking to the kitty quietly and soothingly while driving doesn't hurt either.

Originally Posted by LDG

If you can also reliably put out food in the morning - the earlier the better - and pick it up after an hour or two, it will make trapping a LOT easier. Having them coming when you want them in the trap and can transport them directly to be neutered works out well.

Click to expand...

Most vets wants them not eating during at least 12 hours before, preferable 24. Yours vet is apparently not so picky...

Comments?

No, they keep the ferals - how else do you get them in the trap?