I'll try to reply to this list of question!
1.) That calculator seems to work on the same statistical principles I have seen, more or less. Glad to see this info is getting out there, as no scientific model supports the 420,000 cat pyramid!
2.) Yes, still okay to explain the vacuum effect, but I find it easier to simply explain that cats are a species that breeds to capacity. When the population goes down, the ovaries crank up.
3.) I can't see anything wrong with "rescued street kitties." When potential adopters would ask me about an eartip on a shelter cat, I remember saying, "that gives them street cred." Turn it into a positive and a chance to educate!
4.) I have a self-guided apprenticeship on creating a working cat program that anyone can take for free, thanks to Maddie's Fund. It will walk you through lots of great marketing ideas. Find it here:
https://americanpetsalive.org/maddies-learning-academy/building-a-working-cat-program5.) I do not think we should move toward TNVMR or another new acronym for TNR. While you and I are concerned about vaccines, human health, rabies vectors, and we understand those terms, I think the average resident simply wants to know there won't be more kittens produced. We can certainly explain vaccines and healthier cats, the human health benefit, but I would strongly advise we not confuse the public even more and over-complicate things.
6.) I don't think there is controversy surrounding "indoor" versus "outdoor" cats, but keep in mind that isn't black or white, either. There are also indoor/outdoor cats. In fact, indoor/outdoor cats are the norm in almost all other countries in the world. Indoor-only is a uniquely North American concept.
7.) Thankfully, most people understand the importance of spay/neuter, thanks to years and years of public messaging. There are some great graphics out there that explain TNR in a nutshell and don't use acronyms or lingo. I like bold, dimple headlines to bring people in: "Want to help cats in your neighborhood?" Then you can explain the process in conversation, using language that is common and approachable. If we are going to s/n all the community cats we all need to, this has to be a collaborative endeavor with the community. So it's extra important that we are inclusive, we don't accidentally alienate people with industry jargon, our literature is in the languages represented in our communities, and we emphasize that this is work anyone can do! Down with acronyms and jargon, up with "We can help you help cats." People just want solutions and to help cats; they don't need fancy terms.
8.) Cats going down a working cat pathway often have to be sheltered for a brief period of time before placement, but there are ways you can minimize stress and make that stay as humane as possible. I am a huge advocate for
outdoor cat habitats for these cats. APA! has a
Feral Cat Handling and Housing policy online you can view that describes how to shelter and 'handle' such cats as humanely as possible when we must. I also refer to wildlife rehab models often when I create protocols for these cats. You can view the
APA! Protocol For Determining Outdoor Release Candidates, too, for an idea of how to create an SOP to help determine when alternative placement might be best. I do recommend orgs have such a document to ensure the policies you create are adhered to and so everyone (fosters, staff, volunteers) understand the process.
Keep the questions coming! As we said, this is just the start of this "language" conversation and we have much work to do!
Are there other words, terms, or phrases we use that we should discuss?
I'm also challenging all of you to look at your websites and literature and see what changes you can make! Remember, we are ALL guilty of this. I know I am!
Let's move forward together and learn from one another so we can be as effective as possible in our united mission to help cats!
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Monica Frenden
American Pets Alive
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2021 03:06 PM
From: alison gibson
Subject: Webcast: Language That Harms Cats
A copy of the Presentation Deck from Monica Frenden-Tarent and Danielle Bays is attached and here were a few of the unanswered questions from today's call.
1. Have you seen the cat population calculator on barncatlady.com? https://barncatlady.com/kitten-calculator/ What are your thoughts on this?
2. Is it still ok to talk about the vacuum effect?
3. All of our kittens come from TNR projects. We call them "rescued street kitties" especially to explain ear tip. Better choice of words?
4. I have another question, we have an outdoor/community cat program, where cats that might not make great HOUSE pets, (not social or interested in people) get care and shelter when adopted as WORKING cats! Generally on barns, etc. Do you have any recommendations for the best ways to market these cats, outside of avoiding the terms we discussed?
5. I'm seeing the term "TNVRM" (trap-neuter-vacciante-return-monitor) pop-up. Should we be shifting towards that very long but informative acronym? Does it help to include the V to emphasize that we are getting cats vaccinated, specifically rabies? Should we be using TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return) instead of TNR since it's more specific about what treatments the cats have received, and possibly reassuring to people who are concerned about disease transmission by community cats?
6. Is there any controversy with using phrases "indoor cats" or "outdoor cats" ?
7. What are phrases/explanations that are more clear and concise to begin a discussion about community cats with people that know nothing about community cats or TNR. Like a pet fair table or something where people walk by and you have to make a short, fast elevator pitch for cats?
8. Is it humane to house unsocialized cats in a shelter for working cat programs? Is there a recommendation for which cats should be candidates for working cats and which are candidates for TNR only?
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alison gibson
Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2021 09:22 AM
From: alison gibson
Subject: Webcast: Language That Harms Cats
How we talk about cats can influence public attitudes and behavior, so it is important to consider the words, images and stories we use - particularly when we are trying to change the way the public views and responds to our work.
Does the term "feral" hamper efforts to gain public support for community cat programs? How might your fundraising appeals accidentally create backlash against those same programs? In this fast-paced and thought-provoking webinar from
Million Cat Challenge, we'll see how we often talk about cats may actually be bad for them and make our work harder. We'll have time after the webinar for discussion and figuring this out together. Plus, there may be bingo!
To play along, download the Bingo Card PDF and cut out one of the cards before the webcast!Enter to win a brand-new Tomahawk Gravity Trap for your next TNR adventure by replying to Dr. Levy's post #4 below.
Wednesday, August 18 at 12n Pacific (30-minute presentation + time for discussion and questions)REGISTER HERE
This webinar will be recorded.
Presenters:Danielle Bays (
@Danielle Bays), Senior Analyst, Cat Protection & Policy, The Humane Society of the United States
Monica Frenden-Tarant (
@Monica Tarant), Maddie's Director of Feline Lifesaving, American Pets Alive!
Julie Levy (
@Julie Levy), Co-Founder, Million Cat Challenge, Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at University of Florida
This webcast has been pre-approved for 1.00 hour of Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credits by the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and continuing education by the National Animal Care & Control Association.
#CommunityCatManagement
#EducationandTraining
#MarketingandSocialMedia
#TransfersandTransport
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alison gibson
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