I want to do TNR but...

I really want to do TNR but I am concerned about the logistics...
There is a program for February where the shelter I am a volunteer with is doing free spay/neuter for ferals so I would like to do it this month. I'd like to get multiple traps so I can bring as many ferals in at once as I can. We have a lot of ferals in the area and it's started to get into breeding season so I would really like to prevent more feral litters.

However I am worried about scheduling and timing everything right and all...

I would need to borrow traps from the shelter, and they suggested doing 'trap rehearsal' first to get the cats used to the traps...but there is a 2 week rental period so I would have to have everything timed right... I have never trapped a cat in the winter either so I am worried about the cold, and about locations for the traps. I have a big dog so I probably would have to put the traps somewhere besides my yard, and I'm also worried about what if someone stole/took some of the traps if they weren't on my property? I can't afford to pay the shelter for the traps if they got stolen...
I don't have recovery space but the shelter offers recovery space for ferals for a small fee so I would also need to make a reservation for that when I make appointment for the s/n...

Any idea how many cats you're looking at? Have you been feeding them? Do you know (more or less) when and where to expect them?

Any way to walk the dog instead of putting him out for the next few weeks?

Then you can trap in your yard, and get the cats on a feeding schedule that works with when you'll be doing the trapping.

We used to do the "get them used to eating in the trap" thing, but don't bother anymore. If you get the trap properly set up and use stinky hot food and put the traps out when they're used to eating, you should be fine.

How are you going to transport the traps to the rescue?

Have suggestions on how to set up the traps, but let's figure things out one step at a time.

this comes together!

Unfortunately no I haven't been feeding them because there is no "safe" place to do so since I can't do it in my yard and my neighbors are mostly not friendly to the ferals.
I'm not sure how many, I was thinking of renting 4-5 traps if they have that many available. There are a bunch of cats that are the same color (several solid white, solid black, brown tabby w/white feet...) so it's hard to tell how many are around for sure. I kinda know where they hang out, at least I know where I see them regularly and with the snow on the ground the pawprints help too.

I can probably put one trap in my veggie garden, which is separately fenced from the rest of the yard. That is where I found a litter of feral kittens 2 years ago so I know cats go in there... I can also try to limit how much my dog is outside (she's usually only out for 10 minutes at a time anyway) but I don't think I can totally not use the yard for 2+ weeks because sometimes she needs to go out in the middle of the night for example.

I am planning to get a ride from a relative who has a minivan to get the traps and to get the cats into the clinic. I was also considering talking to someone else in the neighborhood who I know has rescued a few ferals before to see if she may be able to help transport, but I don't know if she will be. Or at least I might be able to put a trap in her yard or something. The only problem with that is she actually seems to have a different "set" of ferals around her house even though she's only a block and a half away from me.

The shelter personnel I talked to said I should make a s/n appointment right away because they fill up fast, but I don't know how that would work to make one if I don't have the traps or know how many cats yet?

You don't have to make an exact appointment time, do you? If so, I'd go ahead and pick out a day that would work best for you and your relative with the minivan (with the seats taken out of ours, we could easily fit five traps), and just make a reservation for five cats. And reserve rental of five traps. That way if you get lucky and fill them all up, they can handle it.

Pick out several places where you can reasonable safely put traps (and cat food), and start putting food out about 1/2 hour before the time you'd want cats in a trap to take to the shelter for the s/n.

Make sure the relative can come a little early - and if you get any cats in traps, you can put them in the minivan as soon as they're trapped - that way they're not around the other cats/traps to freak them out, & they're protected from the elements. Even with the car off, it the heater was used on the way over, it'll be much warmer in the car than outside if it's a really cold day.

The floor of the minivan should be covered with a tarp. Some ferals pee, poop, or vomit out of fear. Much easier to clean up a tarp! Also, have a few old blankets (or cheap new ones) to toss over the traps when there's a kitty inside. Leave the ends open, but drape over the top and sides. This will help calm then down a bit.

The main thing? Make sure there's a day that'll work for you and your transport, and that you've got places to feed/trap planned (even if it's all in the vegetable garden) - and start putting food out. They'll come.

Does the dog live in the yard or is he just out there a lot? Where in the Chicago area are you?

No she's an indoor dog, like I said she's usually only outside for about 10 minutes at a time. However she loves the snow so she asks to go out often in this weather!

I'm on the North side near Lincolnwood.

They don't require an exact appointment time for the cats but I think they have a certain time frame in the morning when you're supposed to bring them in for the s/n, or you can also arrange to drop them off the evening before their appointment too, as long as it's before 7pm.

As the appointment time is flexible, you dont need to catch them exactly immediately before. Catch them when you can.

The catched ones you can keep in the cages, till it is time.
If the cage is covered like LDG suggested, and they are unstressed in there.
The homeless are used to hide somewhere if need be. Even 24 hours or even more...
So although not optimal, it isnt as bad as it sounds.


Good luck!

Originally Posted by Nekochan

I really want to do TNR but I am concerned about the logistics. ...

... I would need to borrow traps from the shelter, and they suggested doing 'trap rehearsal' first to get the cats used to the traps...but there is a 2 week rental period so I would have to have everything timed right...

Click to expand...

My solution to the trap rental was to buy my own. Having my own trap helped relieve the stress of trapping on someone else's time table. I found that by the time you rent a trap for several days you could almost pay for one.

Here's the trap I bought, from the company I bought one - on line -:
http://www.trucatchtraps.com/small-a...-dogs-trap-36d

It has two doors - a real added convenience, and the wires are coated. This one is a little large, but they do have smaller ones, that cost less, too,

I also bought the trap divider - a very useful accessory if you want to open the trap and keep the cat inside, too.
http://www.trucatchtraps.com/accesso...p-divider-td-2

Also, don't forget to put something in the bottom of the trap - like newspaper - so the cat won't hurt its feet - oh, and make sure it won't get in the way of the trap mechanism. I cut cardboard to fit, then used ties to attach it to the bottom wires so it won't move as easily.

HI, I live fairly close to you. I am in Algonquin. I just trapped five in December and before that, some barn cats as well. I would be happy to help you . Most of the TNR organizations will loan traps longer than two weeks, but in reality, two weeks is plenty of time. You can set out the traps for a few days and feed near them. I did that for a day before I set them. I also put dark towels over the back half of them to make them feel more secure about going in. I did trap in very fridgid temps., but I watched the traps and had to keep going out to reheat tuna and the sardines. It did take me three days to trap all five. I still have three more to trap in the family of cats, but I am pretty sure I got all the females. What organization are you going through? I might know of them. And, usually the vets who volunteer their time and efforts keep open-ended appts. for ferals. My name was just added to a list, and when I trapped, I just brought the cat in immediately, no appt. needed. It was great. Let me know if I can help!!!

Thanks! I am going through Tree House. The traps are free to rent for 2 weeks but they require a $50 deposit which you get back when you return it.

Originally Posted by Feralvr

HI, I live fairly close to you. I am in Algonquin. I just trapped five in December and before that, some barn cats as well. I would be happy to help you

. Most of the TNR organizations will loan traps longer than two weeks, but in reality, two weeks is plenty of time. You can set out the traps for a few days and feed near them. I did that for a day before I set them. I also put dark towels over the back half of them to make them feel more secure about going in. I did trap in very fridgid temps., but I watched the traps and had to keep going out to reheat tuna and the sardines. It did take me three days to trap all five. I still have three more to trap in the family of cats, but I am pretty sure I got all the females. What organization are you going through? I might know of them. And, usually the vets who volunteer their time and efforts keep open-ended appts. for ferals. My name was just added to a list, and when I trapped, I just brought the cat in immediately, no appt. needed. It was great. Let me know if I can help!!!

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Tuna and Saardines --- that reminds me - Kentucky Fried Chicken is a favorite, too - I got the idea from other members here - not sure how the cold weather would affect the chicken, but I guess re-warming like you do the other food would be just as affective ???

Yep, I heard about those Kentucky Fried Chicken stories for trapping ferals. Never had to resort to that yet, but maybe that will work on my last three stubborn kitties. They might go bonkers for KFC

Originally Posted by Nekochan

Thanks! I am going through Tree House. The traps are free to rent for 2 weeks but they require a $50 deposit which you get back when you return it.

Click to expand...

Oh yes, I know of the Tree House!! Good luck, you are saving lives