TNR and Rehoming help / suggestions / information

southernmissy

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I actually visited this site a while back, quiet a while back, regarding how to deal with the feral cats outside of my home. TNR was brought up at that time and I simply had neither the funds or the ability to deal with what was needed. Life was sort of in a rough patch, and now it's getting better but I think I'll still need help. You see, I've started the process of rehoming as many of the cats as I can that have been tamed, and I'm not so picky as to indoor and outdoor kitties as long as I get promises of them being fed, allowed shelter, vet care, and photo updates so I can visually see the kitties once in a while. That being said, I've got some that are not able to be rehomed, I don't think, and I've also learned of a vacuum effect? I suppose I plan on keeping a couple once they get fixed so the territory will be claimed, just no more kittens!

I know that my local animal control rents out humane traps free, or well fee free only if the trap is in the same condition when returned. Now my question is, when I trap these cats it's best to line with paper, right? But, how long do I wait once they come back before I let them out? I can't keep them inside, I have a big tom inside who was a rescue who doesn't like other cats! I've also heard that keeping a feral or distressed cat in a cage can lead to it biting the wires and injuring itself, this doesn't seem like a good option to me either. Would anyone with actual TNR experience give me some info?

We have a building outside that the cats get and stay in, some stay under our house, so they all have shelter. I keep them food and water as best I can (someone likes to knock water bowls over) which is usually a daily feeding. That being said, with more than 10 cats even the low cost TNR I've looked into will be costly. I'm hoping to rehome more of the kittens, so the cost will go down if the cats are adopted out, but my current need of funds is over 700USD.

I have tried contacting some of the local rescues before, but due to the fact that these cats are at least in part feral, or that they don't fit the breed limitations, they were not to be accepted. Or, I simply never got a reply in some cases. So, I'm doing my best to care for these cats. I'll be updating the fund page with individual Rescueme links as time goes on for each cat. I'm aware I won't likely find a home for them here, but it still feels important to give the cats a chance at a home where their individual needs can be more closely met! Here is hoping for the best!

If you can help, share, or even just give me info the please feel free to let me know! I'll be happy for all the help I can get.


So far I have rehomed a total of six cats, with two more pending new homes (One unlisted male and Tig). I'm so worried about the ferals though!
 
 
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shadowsrescue

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Thank you for trying your best to help these kitties. 

When you are rehoming some of the cats, are these cats spayed/neutered?  If not, they need to be.  If you give them to someone without first spaying or neutering you cannot be certain they will do it.  Also you said they can be inside/outside.  If they are not spayed/neutered and allowed outside, the problem will continue elsewhere. 

As far as TNR, when you take the cats for spay/neuter and bring them home that evening, they need to remain in the trap overnight in a temperature controlled environment above 60 degrees with the trap covered with a sheet or towel.    When the cats are recovering from anesthesia they are unable to regulate their body temperature. It is important that the recovery location is temperature controlled to keep the cats from getting too hot or too cold. A basement or bathroom will usually do the trick. You may have to keep them in a bathroom with the door closed.  Here is a link to a page from Alley Cat Allies where you can view a video on TNR trapping.  https://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=555

You can release the males the next morning and the vet clinic will advise you on when to release the females.  Just be sure to release them in the same area they were trapped.  Ear tipping is a great way to know who has been spayed/neutered. 

As far as lining the trap, newspapers works just fine.  I prefer to use puppy pee pads that I find in 4 packs from the Dollar Tree.  They may less noise than newspaper.  Just my personal preference.
 
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southernmissy

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As stated, I simply don't have the funds to do so. Instead I've made very sure that the cats have went to good homes and so far all of them are fully indoor cats except for one and all have been vetted, I'm ultra sure of this because none of the cats have been given to complete strangers so far, and most of them use the same vet as I do and I've seen their vet dates. Often even pictures of kitties with the vet kitties, she has a couple of friendly giants lumbering around. She is a wonderful vet, even my antisocial monster likes her.

Oh, an overnight stay and pain meds are included in the TNR people I intend to use, actually! I was very happy to see that since it does mean that the kitties will get a chance to be looked at once more before they come home. I wasn't aware that anesthesia had that effect, I suppose they probably keep them for that reason. Would make sense. I believe they include ear tipping as well. I've already spoken to a few people who have actually used this clinic, just in case, and heard nothing but good things.

Thank you for the video, and I didn't even think of puppy pads! That's a great idea. :)

 

dandila

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It is expensive to take all of this on.  I have done eight in the past six months.  Have you been able to do any of them on your own?  Can you show me a veterinary receipt?  If I send you money how will I know you are spending it on the cats?  I would like to help so help me be sure you are legitimate.
 
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southernmissy

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I currently don't have a job or the ability to hold one down, this doesn't effect my living much but it does mean I don't have the extra money to help these cats. I'm still so very much at a loss as to how to even start to put in any significant changes for them. I am more than willing to offer constant updates, receipts, video of the kitties, a link to my facebook so you can keep track of me there- BUT. I would also actually like to wait. I'm going to give this one last go round at trying to find homes for them first,  it's such a steep price, even if I try to target the females first and only.  Hopefully at least the four tame kittens can find homes.

Wish the babies luck!
 

catsknowme

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It is expensive to take all of this on.  I have done eight in the past six months.  Have you been able to do any of them on your own?  Can you show me a veterinary receipt?  If I send you money how will I know you are spending it on the cats?  I would like to help so help me be sure you are legitimate.
Dandila, you are awesome
 In the past, when I have been able to help out others, I ask for their veterinarian's contact information and then look up the vet's credentials on the state's licensing board. Once I have done that, I contact the vet directly and my experience is that the vet offices gladly accept payments earmarked for certain clients/ feral colonies. It helps to ask for the office manager and enlist their help. Life is so much easier when we all share the burdens.  How true the saying, " A victory shared is a victory multiplied; a problem shared is a problem reduced" !!
 
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