Guide for TNR

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STEP 1: SET YOUR DATE

Operation Spay Bay offers access to low cost spay and neuter services that with careful planning can be utilized by you, the community cat advocate! You have two options:

1. Call for an appointment 850-215-1022
2. Follow their Facebook page and watch for the Community Cat Days open to the public (typically one day per month).

If scheduling an appointment, be aware they typically schedule 3-4 weeks out; consider your budget (typically $50/cat or PCB vouchers), how many traps you have, and how many your car can hold.

STEP 2: GET A BUDDY

This is a lot to tackle completely alone. Ask a spouse, friend or neighbor to assist you, both in tasks but financially as well.

STEP 3: GET YOUR GEAR

It is very rare that a community cat is tame enough to be loaded into a carrier, unless it is a very friendly stray accustomed to being handled. Even pet cats don’t often go into carriers willingly, so a trap is often the best and safest option for everyone. We recommend the following bundle if you can budget for it:

https://livetrap.com/kitgt1012-4-30lx10wx12h-neighborhood-cats-trap-with-transfer-cage-trap-divider-and-cage-connector-free-standard-shipping.html

10% Discount Code: DCNC25

This bundle comes with the basic necessities: a trap, a transport cage (allowing you to transfer the first trapped cat into it in order to re-use the trap), a trap divider and a trap connector for and extended recovery area (more on this in Step 8). Borrowing traps from rescues is also an option!

Beware however of purchasing cheaper traps online or at hardware stores- there is nothing more frustrating than having traps malfunction or allowing cats to escape. Once you get your trap, get to know it well, how to set it, the rear door if applicable, etc.

STEP 4: LEARN AND PLAN

Observe the colony you intend to TNR. Determine how many cats need TNR, how many are already ear tipped, their pattern of eating, etc. Utilize a ring camera or other WiFi security camera. While gathering data, watch the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q50CsdWtWII

It is 2 hours and 10 minutes of excellent information, but we have watched it all for you and narrowed it down to the following topics and time frames:

Time	Description
9:09-12:23	Feeding Schedule
16:35-24:21	*Trap Training* (our favorite trapping trick)
24:22-28:00	Withholding Food
44:13-46:00	Spring Traps
49:57-54:21	Gravity Traps
55:35-56:12	Trap Dividers (a must have)
58:30-1:02:15	Caring for Cats in Traps
1:14:19-1:18:58	Trap Prep
1:19:52-1:25:00	Bait
1:26:07-1:33:16	Trapping

The Trapping Tips PDF (Download Here) is a great summary as well and a handy short reference page.

STEP 5: PREPARE FOR PREOP AND RECOVERY

During the trapping and recovery process (typically 3–7 days), you’ll need a safe space to keep the cats confined before and after surgery. The area should be warm (70-80 degrees), dry, and secure, such as a garage, covered patio (in most seasons locally) or spare room. Purchase absorbent puppy pads and have enough small bowls on hand for food and water.

STEP 6: TRAP YOUR CAT(S)

Ideally the day prior to your appointment or public community cat day, execute your trapping. Be prepared, safe, and patient! If you purchased our recommended bundle and have a transfer cage, transfer the first cat trapped into the cage with the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf6PNcvKBY0

Then your trap will be vacant to trap again.

Should you encounter difficulty despite all the basic tips and tricks, reference our Advanced Trapping Guide and reach out to OSKR describing your difficulty to borrow any needed specialty equipment. Our specialty is difficult to trap cats!

STEP 7: TRANSPORT YOUR CAT(S) TO/FROM THE CLINIC

Review the OSB Transport Instructions PDF (Download Here) and/or follow instructions emailed to you from OSB. The clinic is high volume and so there must be strict adherence to drop off and pick up time frames- plan for traffic so that you are not late.

STEP 8: RECOVER YOUR CAT(S)

Read paperwork carefully for operative findings. You will not have an opportunity to speak directly with the vet. Follow their recommendations and review the Aftercare Tips PDF. (Download Here) If you purchased the recommended bundle with the connector, and have either a vacant trap or cage available, you may connect the two for more recovery space. Reference this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adm93QPDtBA

STEP 9: RELEASE AND PROVIDE CARE

Release the cat precisely where you trapped him or her, after the recommended recovery period. Once the cats are returned, they will resume their usual habits, now free from the stress of breeding. Your role becomes one of monitoring and support. Provide consistent food, water, and shelter. Watch for any new cats joining the colony and include them in your TNR efforts. Work with neighbors to address any concerns that may arise. By completing a TNR project, you’ll have improved the lives of the cats and reduced the challenges they pose in the community.

Extra Documents

• Aftercare Tips PDF
• Trapping Tips PDF
• OSB Transport Instructions PDF

Advanced Trapping Guide

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Some cats are just by nature more difficult than others to trap. Below are some scenarios that might require more advanced trapping techniques. Using the video referenced in our basic TNR guide we will discuss them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q50CsdWtWII

YAS QUEEN!

Kittens can often be easy to trap. They are more hungry and less wary. If under 10 weeks and you have the resources, you may choose to socialize and find forever homes for them. Over 12 weeks they are TNR candidates. Not sure their age? Reference this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_w-vOR0TuE

But the priority should always be to get that reproductive mama, or queen, spayed to stop the cycle. Often, kittens can be a great bait for mama. Watch 1:36:57-1:39:08

THE HOUDINI

There are tricky cats that find ways to get to the bait without setting off the trap. Watch 1:40:01-1:43:03 for solutions!

DROP IT LIKE ITS HOT

The drop trap is our favorite trap and we have two to loan out. It is not a transportable trap and you will still need an individual box trap or transfer cage for each cat after using the drop trap. The drop trap is great for those scenarios where you have a lot of cats that come together to eat (perhaps a family), and you have the budget and space to TNR all that you trap at once (possibly three or more!) It is also great for that one really reluctant cat that just won’t go near the smaller box trap but often, the big openness of the drop trap seems safer to them. Using it is definitely a two person job but so worth it! View 1:43:06-1:46:06

YOU FIRST I INSIST

Perhaps while you are observing your colony, you notice the same passive cat that always eats last. While trap training, you saw them go into the trap, but only after everyone else has eaten. Perhaps they are one of the last of the colony that needs to be fixed and you don’t want to trap anyone else. This is where selective trapping comes in. The drop trap described above can be used for this, but so can a regular trap using the bottle string method described in the video at 1:46:08-1:47:16.

OSKR has also built several remote control traps that can be operated from a distance if that method isn’t feasible- inquire about borrowing.