Door County and Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
TNR R = Return
Home is ...
Return or release the cat in the same place you trapped him or her
as that is the cat's home territory. Open the trap door all the way,
remove the cover, and walk away. Some cats will hesitate before leav-
ing; do not worry, the cat is reorienting itself. Some cats will shoot
out of the trap as though fired from a cannon. Often cats will not
appear for a few days after their return; they will come back. Resume
the feeding schedule you followed before and continue to provide
food and water. Cats may eat when you are not around. When the
return is complete, thoroughly clean the traps with disinfectant.
Cats are territorial. Their territory is their home. It may or may
not have reliable sources of food, water, and shelter. Barns, stables,
abandoned buildings or shacks, alleyways, under porches ~ any or
all are home to feral cats. A male country cat may range in a terri-
tory as large as 150 acres pending such obstacles as fences; his range
is three times that of the feral female. Cats are incredibly adaptable
as can readily be seen by the diversity of habitats in which they sur-
vive. Since feral cats fear strangers, it is likely that many people do
not realize that feral cats are living nearby.
Colony Caretaker
If you have come this far, face it, you are already committed. You are
now caring for this group (colony) of unowned cats, and you may be
asking questions such as:
When all the cats in your colony have been spayed or neutered, you
can take a deep breath and turn your attention to maintaining the
colony. Issues such as: What, where, and when to feed; water; keeping
the feeding station clean; ants and bugs; and new kittens are simply
and clearly discussed here:
Forgotten Felines
Winter Shelters
How to build a simple and inexpensive winter shelter:
Spay and Neuter, Winter Shelter
How to build a simple wooden shelter:
Alley Cat Allies, printable pdf guide
How to build a snug styrofoam shelter:
Neighborhood Cats Winter Shelter
This site presents both the inspiration and the challenges of
working with feral cats.
"As caretakers we go about our daily tasks. We gather strength
from the feral cats and kittens we care for. We experience their
delight and their joy of the moment, as well as their uncondi-
tional love and their pain. Our lives are touched in an unex-
plainable way by their presence. They show us things we never
dreamed of and inspire us to do the impossible. Only those whose
lives have been touched by a feral cat or kitten can truly under-
stand the passion, depth of commitment, respect and affection that
is forthcoming from a place within that few of us realized existed."
Looking Ahead
This problem is ours. Sometimes you read stories about people com-
plaining about cats that are feral. Or, when reading blogs or comments
on blogs, you notice people making derogatory remarks about feral cats
and how they spread disease and upset the neighborhood. There is no
point moaning about feral cats as if we are blaming the cats for the
problem. The problem is ours in the same way as is obesity or bad
debt or any other human condition. The difference with feral cats is
we are hurting them instead of ourselves. If we fail to take full
responsibility for our feline companions, they, more often than
not, end up being destroyed by us.
Here in Door County, WI, resources are few. Beyond the Humane
Society's Barn Cat program, which is limited, the only help for
feral and stray cats has come from individuals and out of pocket.
There is a felt need in Door County for effective work with our stray
and feral cats. A coordinated effort is imperative if we are to im-
prove the cats' lives; stabilize existing colonies by stopping repro-
duction; reduce calls to the police department and sheriff's offices
with concerns about spraying, caterwauling, fighting, etc.
Resources previously spent on ineffective removal and/or lethal services
Here is an excellent guide that can be adapted to Door County, WI, needs:
can be spent on non-lethal, life-saving, positive, publicly-supported
initiatives such as subsidized neuter services, adoption, and outreach
programs.
The following video with Steve Wozniak was made for the
Humane Society of Silicon Valley. (Requires Adobe Flash.)
