Animal Welfare Professionals

We are finding that people aren't following the instructions or able to provide the materials to effectively and safely trap the community cats for TNR. Even with the education as to why the cover is important, they are not covering the cat, so our hope is that providing them with the materials will help them to follow the instructions.

We are looking at putting together "TNR Kits" for our TNR applicants. 

In the kits, in addition to the trap they normally get, we would include:

• Puppy pads for inside
• Blanket to cover once trapped
• Blank masking tape to label the trap

Has any rescue tried this and had success or advice?

 Can you think of anything else that might be essential for trapping?

#CommunityCatManagement

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Katie Christiansen
Volunteer Lead
Shady's Paw Animal Rescue
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I think this is an interesting idea.  Let us know who it goes. 

Zip ties/caribeener,  black marker, Food/wet food/bait/  Link to the TNR Handbook by Neighborhood Cats.

In my ideal world you could have "trap covers" which clearly identifies their use.

Not to promote my own program but lots of organizations require their trappers or interested volunteers to take the TNR Certification Workshop($10) and get certified first before being able to volunteer.  I really think this helps weed out the volunteers who want to help, but trapping really isn't for them..

The other requirement that I see is that first timers must trap with another experienced trapper before being able to go alone.   

If they aren't covering the trap- I would be concerned about other best practices that they might be missing in the whole process...

Thanks so much,

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Stacy LeBaron
Head Cat
The Community Cats Podcast
Warren VT
978-239-2090
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I do think the trick is to provide the trap cover.  We cut sheets with an opening for the handle.  I am not sure why people don't remember except that the trapping is stressful to the caregiver and there are perhaps too many moving targets.  The cover is key to keeping the stress low for the cat in the trap and to reduce injuries.  I think it is also so very important to make sure that people are not leaving the traps set without watching them.  There is a long list of things that can happen when traps are unattended: injured cats, destroyed traps, stolen traps... possibly with the cat inside, wildlife trapped...opossom, raccoon, skunk!!!    These should all be pointed out to the person trapping - verbally and in written form.  The trapper should always be nearby and ready to put the cover over the trap and move it to safety, as necessary.

We also provide recovery and return instructions.  Another problem is that people tend to want to keep the cat in captivity too long after the spay/neuter.  We return the next day.  Cats get sick quickly from stress of captivity if not returned pretty quickly, especially unsocialized (feral) cats.

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Samantha Polen
Executive Director
T-Town TNR, Inc.
Tulsa OK
https://www.ttowntnr.com/
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We do provide supplies when loaning out traps.  We include trap covers, smelly food,  cardboard for inside the trap and anything else they need. It helps them to be more successful and less stress on the cats. 

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Joy Smith
Executive Director
FieldHaven Feline Center
Lincoln CA
9163008166
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