Since the New Year began, we have been working very hard to trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) as many cats as possible in the greater Lutz, Florida area. As of last week, only two months into 2024, we actively TNVR'd or helped TNVR 65 cats, compared to 90 cats total in 2023. But, there is still so much more work to be done.
We can do more together. It's not hard and it is rewarding to see a feral cat live a life without the suffering brought on by multiple pregnancies or open wounds, injuries and even disease that comes from cat fights.
Pictured above are people who have big hearts and care deeply about the well-being of feral cats. Their collective efforts TNVR'd 64 cats and prevented the suffering of countless offspring.
Here's how, step-by-step.
A feral cat appears. A feral cat appears in your yard or in the yard of someone you know. You want to help but don't know where to start. Send an email to catpassionate@gmail.com explaining the situation and location, understanding that CATpassionate Village is not a rescue organization, but strictly at TNVR non-profit, all-volunteer organization.
Borrow a trap. CATpassionate Village will loan you a trap. This video shows you how to use the trap.
Establish a trapping date. Working with CATpassionate Village, settle on a date to trap and transport your feral cat(s) to Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HSTB) or Harmony Vet Care for spay/neuter and vaccinations. Advance appointments need to be made with HSTB, but Harmony can take feral cats for surgery and vaccines most days of the week (Monday through Saturday). Harmony needs to be contacted a day in advance to determine which location will have a surgeon on site, most likely their Carrollwood location.
Trap train for a few days in advance of established trapping date. This simply means allow the cat to get used to having the trap around during feeding time. You may even want to zip tie the trap door open so the cat can eat inside the trap while training to trust it. IMPORTANT: make sure the trap is in a safe place as they are expensive to purchase and we don't want them walking away.
Prepare the Trap. Prepare the trap by lining it with cardboard, so that the cat's feet do not get pinched, and place a small bowl for bait in the back. Test the trap to be sure it closes easily and these items don't interfere with its functioning. Tuna and KFC are the best baits to use. Now, place a small line of bait up to the trip plate and put a generous helping of bait into the bowl.
Trap and hold overnight. You are ready to trap. The best time to do so is at feeding time, usually early in the morning or late afternoon/early evening. Once the cat is trapped you will need to bring it into a safe and comfortable space (not too cold, not too hot) for the cat to be held overnight until it is time to transport to the clinic the next morning. Ideally, you'll want to elevate the cat(s) trap so that if they soil their trap it has someplace to go besides the cat sitting in it (see video above). We usually use bricks placed beneath either end of the trap and sitting on top of pee pads. It could be you or CATpassionate Village that will hold the cat(s) overnight, which will be determined in advance. Whoever holds the cat(s) overnight needs to provide food and water.
Spay/neuter/vaccinate/ear-tipped. It is surgery day. Drop-off of the cat(s) at HSTB is 6:30 a.m. through 9 a.m on Mondays. Drop-off at Harmony Vet Care is 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Pick up at the end of the day is 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for both clinics. The cat(s) will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated for rabies and FVRCP, and left ear-tipped, the universal sign the cat has been spayed/neutered. CATpassionate Village covers the cost.
Recovery. Once home, the cat(s) should again be held in a safe, comfortable space. and elevated. Their trap(s) should remain covered. Food and water should be provided. If their trap liners (usually cardboard, newspaper or pee pad) becomes soiled, the liner should be carefully removed and replaced. "Carefully" means only opening the back door that slides up about an inch or two to replace liner. You'll want to watch the cat closely to be sure she does not charge the door. Many times, they simply stay in the back of the trap. However, if there is the least bit concern about the cat escaping--DO NOT RISK IT. At CATpassionate Village we typically use a pair of dedicated kitchen tongs to remove trap lining. We also use the tongs to insert small bowls of wet food and water. Sometimes small bowls are repurposed yogurt cups. Food and water are important to recovery, but sometimes cats don't want to eat.
Return. The next day, providing the cat(s) looks to have recovered from the effects of anesthesia and there is no visible blood on the trap liner or other concerns, it is time to return the cat(s) to the place she calls home.
With the completion of step 9, you have made a monumental change in a cat's life and the life of any offspring that would have been born. In the span of seven years, a single pair of cats and their offspring can produce 420,000 cats.
Together, let's make the world a better place for feral cats.
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