Keep Your Colony out of Crisis Get permission from management in advance to establish a managed colony. When approaching management the number one rule is “don’t plead for the kitties.” There are too many reasons to support a TNR program that do not involve ethical issues or changing the management’s personal feelings about the cats. Educate yourself about the economical and practical reasons for establishing a managed colony. Even if you refuse to try to get permission from the management, still follow the standard protocol below. Colony management is more than spaying and neutering, so take a look at management’s major complaints below, and follow the protocol described to keep your cats out of danger. Although we absolutely advocate for the ferals, in almost every dispute between the caregiver and the complainer, the person complaining has had some good reasons. And remember, it’s not about who is right and who is wrong—it’s about helping the cats. Complaint #1: The feeding area is messy. Cat caregivers should keep the cats’ feeding area neat and free of leftover food and trash. Paper plates cause litter and complaints, so use only plastic or stainless steel bowls that will not tip over or blow away. Never put food directly on the ground. If others are feeding the cats, coordinate a schedule so that the above guidelines are met. If you are unsure of who else is feeding, leave a polite note with your phone number or email address. Complaint #2: The feeding area attracts insects and pests. Caregivers should feed only dry food since wet food attracts unwanted guests such as raccoons and possums. Food should never be left out overnight. It’s best to feed in the morning and remove the food after one hour. Make certain that any leftover food is removed before nightfall. If it is inconvenient to remove any leftover food, feed the cats only what they will eat within an hour or two and no more. Pour out the water bowl, and refill it with fresh water daily to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in it. Complaint #3: There are too many cats around! Ensuring that all of the cats are neutered will allow the colony to decrease rather quickly. It’s also very important to move any feeding stations and shelters to an area where the cats are not seen. They should be in an inconspicuous place that is easily accessible for the feeder. They should be painted colors that blend in with the environment. The cats should not be fed at peak hours to help them maintain a low profile. The more people see cats, the more people will lodge complaints. Complaint #4: Cats are sleeping under my porch. If cats are sleeping under a house or in a shed, they are seeking a warm, dry, safe, shelter from the elements. A shelter could be provided (similar to a small doghouse) for the cats. Complaint #5: Cats are hanging out in my yard. There are many ways to make property less appealing: 1) Neutering cats curtails the urge to roam, 2) Routinely use a repellent to keep cats out of the area, such as Repel Away From My Garden, Havahart Cat Repellent, and Reppers (can be used around the edges of the yard, the top of fences, etc. and can be purchased at garden centers, home improvement stores, pet stores, or online), 3) Use motion-activated water sprinklers, such as The Scarecrow, to repel cats, 4) Ultrasonic devices, such as Cat Stop Automatic Outdoor Cat Deterrent or Yard Control Cat Repeller, Model P7810, emit a high-frequency sound annoying to cats, but not perceptible by people (be sure to match device to size of area to be covered), 5) Household items and herbs that repel cats include cayenne pepper, citrus peels, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, citrus-scented sprays and oils of lavender, lemon grass, citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus, and mustard. Bt do not expect a person who dislikes cats to go to all this trouble! IF you want the cats to stay, you should offer to do it. Seems unfair, but it’s the price of helping the cats, if that’s what you want to do. Complaint #6: Cats are digging in my garden. Use one of the repellents listed above. You can also create a physical barrier to digging: gardens and flowerbeds can be protected with Cat Scat plastic mats that can be purchased online and pressed into the soil. Heavy plastic carpet runner (pointed side up) also works. Cover exposed ground in flower beds with attractive rocks. Branches from a thorny plant, like the rose of Sharon tree; wooden or plastic lattice fencing material; or chicken wire can be placed over the soil. Pinecones, wooden chopsticks, skewers, or plant stakes can be embedded into the soil every eight inches. Place an outdoor litter box for the cats in an inconspicuous place (pine straw and peat moss works well). Again, offer to do this for the person who is complaining about the cats. Complaint #7: I can smell cat urine. Neutering the cats is the best way to eliminate the offensive smell and their desire to spray-mark. In the meantime, eliminate the smell of cat urine by spraying the area thoroughly with white vinegar. Complaint #8: Cats are making a lot of noise, fighting and yowling. These are behaviors associated with mating. The solution is to humanely trap and neuter the entire colony. Once cats are neutered, the hormones leave their system within three weeks, and the behaviors almost always stop. Complaint #9: The cats might have fleas. If fleas are a problem in your area, have the clinic treat for fleas when the cats are neutered. Revolution works well and can sometimes be reapplied if you are able to touch the cats while they are eating. Change the bedding material in the cats’ shelters regularly. Complaint #10: The cats are dangerous and pose a health risk to humans and other animals. A Stanford study found virtually no risk to human health or safety from feral cats. They are naturally wary of people and will not approach humans they do not know.

Thank you Connie for posting this valuable information.

All members need to read this before dealing with the public about feral cat colonies.

Angela