As I have spent the last few months getting calls and emails from people asking for TNR help, I have realized too many people are still not aware of the law, and what their responsibilities are as a caretaker of feral cats. Some people lie to me, saying they never feed any feral cats, for fear I am just a nosy neighbor wanting to turn them over to animal control, other partially aware of TNR feel they can feed feral cats as they please and have no other responsibilities to the cats or the neighbors. Being ignorant of the law not only is going to get them huge fines from the city, but is will also get the colony trapped/killed by neighbors and/or animal control.
For those of you who are practicing TNR, have your cats altered, giving them a clean safe shelter, and taking care of any medical needs, from one animal lover to another, thank you. But you are the exception, not the rule. This is where we need to change for TNR to work. Many caretakers who call on me for help, think I must have some magical powers, that I can trance cats into walking into a trap, or have some inside connection to these mysterious TNR clinics. I am just a housewife and mom who took the intuitive years ago to trap and fix the colony of feral cats that were overpopulating my neighborhood. I had a great vet, that I still use that was willing to help me. When TNR became legal, I attended my first TNR workshop at the SPCA. If I can do this, anyone can.
I want to touch base with some of you who are still in the dark about what our responsibilities are as feral cat caretakers. There are nine outlined responsibilities we must follow, not adhering to one or more, could cause the city to fine you, (which could be up to $1,000 per cat) have the city trap/kill your colony, or both. These measures not only protect you, your neighbors, but they ensure the safety and health of the colony. Just feeding cats, and not altering them is just inhumane to the cats, or not providing them a decent shelter. I might catch backlash for this, but I would rather see a colony euthanized, and die a painless death, that to be in the care of a neglectful caretaker.
Our nine responsibilities:
1. Feral Cat Caregivers will cooperate with any TNR program, making reasonable, good faith efforts to have all cats in the colony altered, eartipped for identification, vaccinated against rabies, and returned to their home site following full recovery from surgery.
:This is up to us to see that it is done, not the TNR clinic, not some rescue group, not the lady next door that promised to help, but up to us to seek out the TNR clinic and make the appointments and pay any fees needed.
2.Feral Cat Caregivers will cooperate with any TNR program and make reasonable good faith efforts to have any new cat(s) that comes to the colony altered, eartipped, and vaccinated against rabies and distemper as soon as possible.
:This means as soon as you see a new cat, you need to be on the phone with the TNR clinic making an appointment. It doesn't matter if you think it is your neighbor's cat out for a night time run, if they are outside, they are fair game to be eartipped. If it is an unaltered new male, chances are he will be fighting with your colony. Fighting that could cause bites/wounds that could become infected, could chase your colony into an unsafe area that they would usually avoid. Altering any new cats will keep your cats safe, and might allow this new cat to be accepted into the colony.
3.Feral Cat Caregivers shall provide food and water to the colony cats on a regular basis, year round, using best practices to minimize, as reasonably as possible any nuisance and/or sanitary conditions.
:This means you do not leave a never ending bowl of dry outside if you have other wild animals and rodents that might feed off of it. Feed your cats, same time each day, after you set out the food and water, check back in fifteen minutes, remove any uneaten food, refill the water. If they ate everything, try feeding a little more, and again check back. Soon you will realize how much food you colony needs. This can change during hot/cold days. Always leave out clean water. Never use plastic bowls. Either use stainless that are washed in soapy bleach water, or disposable. In winter, try an use insulated bowls, and add sugar to the water. (it keeps it from freezing so quick) 4.Feral Cat Caregivers will provide adequate shelter (in number and quality) for colony cats using best practices to minimize nuisance.
:Cats love naps, and they can not be napping on your neighbors property. Shelters need to be large enough to allow all the cats to sleep comfortably. They must be protected against cold of winter and the heat of summer. There are plenty of ideas for feral cat shelters online. Using straw is better than towels. They won't hold in the moisture. Outdoor heating pads, and even outdoor a/c units can be purchased. Granted not all of us maintain a colony where we have electric, but you have to do the best you can and make an effort. You must also keep it clean. 5.Feral Cat Caregivers will make reasonable, good faith efforts to provide needed veterinary care to colony cats that are visibly ill or injured.
:Granted we can not all afford vet bills that could total into the thousands, but if the cat has a cold, most vets can give an anti biotic shot to the cat if in a trap using an isolator/divider. Most vets will often sedate a feral cat and can give them an all over exam if needed. Ringworm is a common problem among ferals. This disease can also be transfered to humans, so you must be able to recognize it, and have a vet who is willing to help treat it for you. Keep in mind, your safety and the neighbors safety comes first. Always check with a professional when trying to treat any feral cat. You can not leave any sick or injured animal outside to suffer.
6. Feral Cat Caregivers shall keep and maintain records for each colony cat, including each cat's rabies vaccination record/certificate.
:CCMD gives pics of the cats which I love, it helps to know what records go for what cat. The spca only gives the certificate. I always take a pic of the cat on my phone before releasing, print it out and attach it to the corresponding certificate. Animal control has the right to see these certificates at any time, be sure to keep in a safe place. If you leave for a trip, let the alternate caretaker know where these certificates are kept. 7.Feral Cat Caregivers shall make reasonable, good faith efforts, using best practices, to exclude cats from yards, gardens or similar property upon request of the property owner.
:Talk to your neighbors. Let them know you are the person caring for the colony, and if they should have any problems with the cats, to let you know. Hiding will not help the colony. Most people I have found don't mind the cats being around, but you need to address the concerns of those that do. Most problems are from cats using gardens as litterbox, so best to create a clean area in your yard for them to use. Sand works best, and you can purchase litter attractant at most pet stores to encourage cats to use it. You can also find many helpful tips on alleycat.org on how to help keep cats away. You have to find a way to keep the neighbors happy. If they want new plants for the garden, might want to buy them to keep peace.
8.Feral Cat Caregivers will generally make reasonable efforts, to address and resolve complaints regarding colony cats.
:This means you. Animal control does not want to have to spend the money and time to make a call to your house for a problem with the cats. It is your responsibility to resolve any problems. Just as you want your right to feed and care for the colony, some of your neighbors want the right to a cat free yard. Respect their wishes, and do what you can to fix it. 9. Feral Cat Caregivers will ensure that a substitute caregiver is in place during the feral cat caregivers temporary or permanent absence.
:Before you leave for any length of time, you must have someone else there to feed the cats that know the location, and time of feeding, and how much to feed. Do not send a rescue, TNR clinic an email after you have left to feed the colony. You must have this in place before you leave. Cats need to be fed daily. Some cats going without food for even one day can cause them to dehydrate, and get a life threatening kidney disease. They must eat every day. Even if you have to pay someone to feed them for you. By staying within the TNR law, You will be protecting yourself, your colony and your neighbors. When TNR law is practiced, it can be a very enjoyable place to live for everyone involved. Most of your neighbors will be relieved to know the cats are being well cared for, and are not subject to any dangers, and are healthy not spreading any diseases. Because of our TNR law, Baltimore has one of the healthiest feral cat population. Keep up the great work.
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