Animal Welfare Professionals

 View Only
Back to discussions
Expand all | Collapse all

Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

  • 1.  Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 02-06-2025 08:31 AM

    Hi folks,

    We are gearing up for Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition just in time to get you up to speed on the latest and greatest info on ALL THINGS KITTEN!

    I will be kicking us off at 9am on March 4th talking about how saving kittens hinges on your community cat programming and how the Cat Superhighway will help:

    Community cat programs are the cornerstone of feline lifesaving, but what happens when we come across kittens? How do they integrate into the broader community cat framework, ensuring fast yet responsible action for orphaned, socialized, or unsocialized kittens? This webinar will explore the critical decisions around returning or admitting kittens, and the unique challenges they pose, offering key insights for running a successful, kitten-inclusive community cat program.

    After that, Dr. Levy, Marnie Russ, and Tabitha Kucera will present on kitten medical care, National Kitten College and updates on caring for neonates, and kitten behavior and socialization. Check out the full lineup!

    Registration is now open and we hope to see you all there!


    #AdmissionsandIntake(includingIntake-to-placement)
    #CommunityCatManagement
    #Conferences,WorkshopsandWebcasts

    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------



  • 2.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 18 days ago
      |   view attached

    Hi everyone,

    Here is the slide deck from my presentation this morning. Thanks to all who joined us! 



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    Camp Maddie Kitten.pdf   3.69 MB 1 version
    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 17 days ago

    The recording of Monica's session is now available to watch on-demand!

    If you would like to earn continuing education credit, head over to Maddie’s University to watch the recording. Earn 1.0 CAWA CE from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, 1.0 NACA CE from the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA), and 1 hour of RACE CE credit from the Registry of Approved Continuing Education: https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/camp-maddie-kitten-edition-navigating-the-kitten-quandary-in-community-cat-programs-on-demand

    Bring your questions to the follow-up live question and answer session on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT! 



    ------------------------------
    Maddie's University
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 9 days ago

    Thanks again to everyone who joined us at Camp Maddie Kitten Edition! Ahead of our live Q&A session coming up on Tuesday at 9am PT, I wanted to start answering some of the questions I received from the chat on day 1 to make sure we have time to get to all of your questions next week. 

    "Can you share the data supporting that 'removal makes things 200x worse'? Thanks!" - Adrienne Clark

    A source for this is "Lazenby, B.T., Mooney, N.J., and Dickman, C.R. (2014). Effects of low-level culling of feral cats in open populations: a case study from the forests of southern Tasmania. Wildlife Research, 41, 401-420" which finds that Removal of cats without concurrent control of the food source has been linked to paradoxical increases in cat populations by as much as 200%. 



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 9 days ago

    "What about adult cats who were obviously dumped by their owners?" - Anonymous Attendee

    Cats who were obviously abandoned or are true strays are exactly the cats who may need assistance who we are better able to help when we reserve shelter resources for cats who truly need us versus thriving community cats.



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 9 days ago

    "We have a city ordinance that does not allow cats or dogs to go off owners property. Therefore, we can not allow cats to be returned to the field.  We do place feral or under socialized cats in working placements such as warehouses, barns, etc.  I work for Animal Control and the number of cats that test + for FIV is huge. Is it fair to place these cats back outside to infect other cats?" - Terri Kutayli

    This is very complex and, as you can imagine, varies wildly by  jurisdiction. This site has terrific, comprehensive advice: https://thecatsite.com/c/tnr-and-the-law-what-feral-caretakers-need-to-know/. To add to it, broadly, my advice is to accept that the best ordinance is often NO ordinance; ordinances can be changed - often quite easily; and to partner with as many community organizations as possible who are likely to have political sway and friendly relationships with local officials.



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 9 days ago
      |   view attached

    "how do we gauge abandoned friendly cat vs the friendly cats out on a walk about or community cat? Often I will see friendly ferals that just seem scruffy and scabby, but can still be well fed and seem okay" - Brianna Price

    Here is a great resource for help in determining a lost/stray cat versus a community cat:



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    Lost Cat vs Community Cat.docx.pdf   106 KB 1 version
    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 9 days ago

    "What if its illegal to return a cat back to where it was found due to the counties legislation?" - Anonymous Attendee

    While a municipal agency may not be able to engage with that barrier, it is likely customary to transfer cats to a local partnering agency. If that agency elects to return a cat, that is outside of your purview.



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 9 days ago

    "I live in a community with a quickly increasing human population AND a noticeably warming climate (along with the rest of the world, but apparently an increase in people means more warmth inside city limits because of increased electricity use) and so our community cat population is also booming. We've already seen pregnant cats at TNR spay/neuter this year. What advice do you have for a dramatic increase in demand?" - Jasmine Ong

    I can't stress enough the importance of targeted TNR work, especially in cases like yours with population surges (both human and cat.) Using data and heat maps, if possible, hard hit your most urgent location/s, neighborhood by neighborhood. Keep focused until you've TNR'd 75-90% of the cats and create a community plan to keep working on the stragglers. Hunt-and-peck TNR where you're neutering a few cats here and a few cats there will dilute your efforts, you will not keep up with population growth, and you will not get the kind of community support you want when residents can't witness a dramatic improvement like they will with strategic targeting.



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 9 days ago

    "Since the socialization period of true feral cats shuts down very early, how does that impact the decide to keep or RTH these kittens?" - Michael Crago

    I think this fact must be taken into account when we make intake vs. RTH decisions. Ask "what is the probability that this kitten will socialize and to what extent?" If you have high probability that the kitten will not socialize in a reasonable amount of time, OR that the kitten's final disposition is one that merely tolerates human proximity at best - ask if this is a good use of your resources AND if this is humane for the kitten. Not only will an unsocialized cat be difficult to adopt to a traditional pet home and thus likely endure a lengthy shelter stay, but research now tells us their adopters are less pleased with the experience, too.



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 9 days ago
      |   view attached

    "What happens if there's no available working cat home?" - Meredyth Forbes

    Build an outdoor working cat enclosure at your shelter, if possible! If you have the space, you can do this very inexpensively so these cats have a humane housing option while waiting for their adopters. Here (and attached) are some build plans. 



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    How to Build a Feral Enclosure.pdf   10.81 MB 1 version
    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 9 days ago

    "What resources do you have for finders who struggle with understanding that being a community cat is okay?" - Kayla Jayaweera

    Give Them Ten does just this! Check out their PSAs that you can share here: https://www.givethemten.org/



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 9 days ago
      |   view attached

    "Shy cats are given time to warm up in foster, but scared, forwardly aggressive cats (lived indoors previously) are sent to barn homes, and aren't given as much time to adjust. Is that recommended?" - @Catie Unger

    Time to adjust (preferably outside of a shelter) is optimal for cats with known social history. I do think a written guide on how long socialization efforts will continue, and what signs you're looking for, can be helpful in guiding those decisions. Here is an example: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r5o9UGaWMoY7NPW3j5zwppAJkJjzaRHg/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117653435580083162674&rtpof=true&sd=true



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 9 days ago

    "How do we tell potential fosters of panluek without scaring them? Especially when they have their own cats at home?" - @Venus Echevarria

    Once a foster has taken panleuk kittens, I prefer to make them a known panleuk foster for at least the season. During the winter, they can deep clean the residence and start over, but try to utilize them as a panleuk-specific foster until then. Hint: dog folks make excellent panleuk fosters since they have no resident cats to worry about!



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 9 days ago

    "What do you do if you are not allowed to do the return to home? Our County does not have this program." - @Brenda Caraveo

    As long as there is not a law/ordinance prohibiting return, you don't need a program to start doing it. Just do it like it's a normal, best-practice shelter operation like everything else we don't have explicit permission for! (Because it is!)



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 9 days ago

    "What are your specific recommendations for reducing obstacles to adoption - what should be required of adopters and what shouldn't?" - Vicki Roller

    We have great examples and resources to grab at the Maddie's Feline Lifesaving Cat Adoption course online: https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/feline-lifesaving-adoption



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 17.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 9 days ago

    "We find that finder fosters can sometimes be flakey or difficult when it comes to medical appts for their fosters or at adoption time. Any suggestions on how to work through this?" - Anonymous Attendee

    Have you considered having open walk-in hours on the evening or weekends when it might be easier for folks to come in with flexibility?



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 18.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 2 days ago

    "Possible returns, could they be returned to a barn?" - @Anita Selby

    Cats who are returned can be considered for working cat programs, assuming they meet the criteria you've created for those alternative placements.



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 19.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 2 days ago

    "How far in the gestation can we spay and abort kittens? Or how to decide if it is best to let the mother gives birth or to spay her?" - Anonymous Attendee

    Spay can be performed at any time prior to live birth. Creating a spay protocol based on length of gestation will be dependent upon your resources, the surgeon's decision, and should factor in the health and well-being of the queen and whether it is ethical to keep her in a program for several weeks.



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 20.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 2 days ago

    "Do you take food source and shelter into consideration when deciding on TNR?" - Cindy Mackenzie 

    Body condition of a cat, as observed by a trained staffer, is sufficient evidence of adequate resources in a cat's environment. 



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 21.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 2 days ago

    "It seems like a lot of this advice involves letting the community do most of the work. What if the community isn't cat friendly/doesn't care to help?" - Anonymous Attendee

    Thankfully, I have yet to meet an entire community anywhere that doesn't care or have compassion for animals. There are always advocates to be found and even for adversaries, the message is the same: spay/neuter and TNR is best for everyone whether you love cats or hate them.



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 22.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 2 days ago

    What is the best route to advocate for the proper highways when coworkers may not agree and want to push for adoption for all friendly cats? - Brianna Price

    Explaining the "why" is important to facilitate change. Explain that keeping all the friendly free-roaming cats displaces those who truly need your help; that those friendly cats likely belong to people and their removal disproportionately impacts marginalized communities; that you cannot help at-risk kittens when your shelter is full of adults who were thriving where they were; that a cat is far more likely to be reunited with its family if returned versus intake. Share stories that illustrate these points, especially from those caring for community cats, or outdoor cats, who very much want them returned.



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 23.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 2 days ago

    "What if the community does not welcome the colony to allow for RTH? We have had issues with this as people have property lines and get upset with the animals even being on their property.  Currently handle these with barn cat route." - @Madison Stanhope

    As experts in the field, do not lead the conversation by asking the complainant what the solution is. You are the expert so you will present the possible options, none of which are removal (in this case.) I like to start by asking the resident how long this "problem" has been going on. They will likely tell you, "For years!" Use that opportunity to explain that what has been done in the past is clearly not working, then, and you will help now with a different approach.



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 24.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 2 days ago

    "For Monika if feral mom has the kittens and are less than 4 weeks, can the mom be spay and vaccinate or wait to TNVR the mom at that point you remove her from the 4 week kittens?" - Anonymous Attendee

    I would vaccinate the queen immediately and spay when you separate her from the kittens.



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 25.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 2 days ago

    "My local shelter is through the county (meaning government-run).  They are only open to the public 11-5 tues - sunday.  Do you have any suggestions on how to encourage them to extend their hours during the week to (1.) expand the public's opportunities to adopt on a week day and (2.) create the opportunities for volunteers to donate their time after work during the week?" - Samantha Mir

    Have you approached officials and suggested a plan in which volunteers could do exactly this, and shown the benefits of being allowed to do so? Shorter length of stay and increased adoptions equals lower costs to the county! 



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 26.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 2 days ago

    "How do you help get black cats into new forever homes? We have a lot of black cats/kittens that are not very popular. even if they are open adoption at the shelter." - @Charity Schwank

    Black is the most common felinne coat color and, as such, some studies indicate they are the MOST adopted cats! To make them stand out, though, use brightly colored blankets and bedding and get great photos of them. Don't hesitate to have adoption promos just for black cats, too: Black Friday is a popular example when many shelters promote animals with black coats.



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 27.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 2 days ago

    "Where can we find National, state & local stats?" - @rosalie hathcock

    Both Shelter Animals Count and the Best Friends Animal Society national data set are terrific sources for shelter statistics. 



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 28.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 2 days ago

    "Do you adopt to people that come in realy drunk or high? Are they legally able to sign the adoption contract with them being impaired?" - @Charity Schwank

    I would not adopt to a person who is under the influence, but this is challenging from an HR perspective. Before you ask, or suggest, that a visitor is under the influence, talk to your HR or legal department for guidance on how to handle this!



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 29.  RE: Navigating the Kitten Quandary in Community Cat Programs (Camp Maddie: Kitten Edition)

    Posted 2 days ago

    "Ref TNR relocation.  I apoloigze I may have missed the answer but what about returning cats to their original location when there is no feeding source other than rats/mice?  There is no housing areas near a location that is flooded with cats in an environemnt that is essentially a major junk yard with some active 18 wheeler transporters.  The cats are wanted to only to keep mice/rats from chewing wires in vehicles but individuals that use this area do not understand the need for medical care and feeding due to cultural differences. (they may on occassion throw some bread, chicken bones, or noodles out for the cats) but most of these truckers are gone for days, if not weeks, at a time." - @Sherry Turner

    Are the cats consistently in good body condition? If so, that would suggest that there are ample resources for them in their area. However, this situation is a good example of the need for ongoing colony management so you can keep a loose eye on the colony's health. Would the people who pass through this area be willing to restock large hopper feeders when they do pass through? Can an organization supply free cat food for such a program?



    ------------------------------
    Monica Tarant
    Chief Innovation Officer
    The Give Them Ten Movement
    [givethemten.org]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


Related Content