Below are some EZ Steps to get you started with TNR. 

This information is to be used as a guide. We always promote SAFETY FIRST, so if you have any questions about trapping, please CONTACT US or attend one of our TRAP TRAINING WORKSHOPS.

1. Determine where the cat(s) will be TNR. 
    If you are using the Animal Birth Control Clinic, you do NOT have to have an appointment to bring in feral cats AS LONG as they are in humane traps. You will need to call the clinic in advance to find out the days they are having surgeries, as it can vary from week-to-week. Feral cats must be at the clinic the morning of surgery by 7:45 a.m., and must be picked up that afternoon between 4-5 p.m. 

    Aug. 31-Sept. 4: 
    Spay/Neuter surgeries will be done on MON  TUES  WED  THURS  FRI

    Sept. 7-11:  
    *CLOSED - LABOR DAY* 
    Spay/Neuter surgeries will be done ONLY WED  THURS  FRI

If the ABC Clinic is overbooked that day, your feral cat may be able to stay overnight to be ready for the next day's surgery. (Unless it is a Friday.)

If you are using your personal vet for TNR, be sure to find out in advance if they will spay/neuter feral cats (some will not!) and what their office procedure for bringing in a feral cat. Also, make sure they use disposable sutures and that they do an eartip.


2. The cost of TNR
        At the ABC Clinic, everyday prices
            
                MALE Cat: $25 Neuter + $10 rabies vaccination (State required). 
                    Includes eartip if you request (please get the eartip!)
                FEMALE* Cat: $35 Spay + $10 rabies vaccination (State required). 
                    Includes eartip if you request (please get the eartip!)
                    *ADD $5 if female is in heat or pregnant.

3. Traps
       We use the Tru-Catch Humane Traps. We have traps in our "Trap Bank" to loan out for a $35 refundable deposit, thanks to a grant from the Humane Society of the United States. You will be asked to sign a waiver if you borrow one of our traps. Please use the trap as quickly as possible and return it, as we sometimes get a waiting list.
If you prefer to buy your own, please be sure to use an appropriate sized trap (not the little rodent humane traps, no matter how small the cat).

4. Trap Process
    A. PRACTICE BEFORE HAND! Get familiar with the trap, learn to work it, and how to set it. They may look intimidating, but they are really very easy to use. 
    B. LINE THE INSIDE OF THE TRAP WITH NEWSPAPER. Will make transporting easier, catches any "accidents" and keeps the cat's toes from getting caught under the wire while transporting.
    C. COVER WITH A BED SHEET! Once the cat is trapped, cover immediately with a bed sheet to keep the cat calm. Make sure the sheet is large enough to cover the entire trap, and do not "share" a bed sheet with multiple cats under it. One per trap. We have some donated bed sheets - just ask!
    D. WATCH YOUR FINGERS! Safety first. When picking up the trap, do not carry with one hand underneath for support. Your fingers could slip through the wire or the cat could scratch or bite. Carry by the handle, and use the other hand to balance one end on the top of the trap. Go slowly! The cat may thrash around and you may need to set the trap down for a couple of minutes to let the cat settle down.
    E. KEEP ON THE A/C! Keep the cats cool by immediately moving to a shaded area or to an air conditioned vehicle    .

5. Release
Keep the cat in the trap overnight after surgery. The cat will be groggy and could be susceptible to injury or could fall prey if released while still groggy. The next morning, take the cat to the same area as was trapped. Pull back the sheet for a couple of minutes to let the cat "get the smells" that he/she is home. Then (again, watch the fingers!) open the trap and be ready for the cat's burst of freedom! Make sure that the opening of the trap is directed away from traffic, and hopefully the cat can dart into nearby brush for safety.

MORE TIPS WILL BE POSTED SOON!

CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS or email us at Info@HOTFeralFriends.com

We are a group of volunteers and will try to get to your request for help as soon as possible. If for some reason you don't hear back from us in 3-5 days, email or Contact Us again!!!

We appreciate your patience... and your compassion for our community's feral cat population!