Rescue Rangers

Is TNR Ethical

Is TNR Ethical? Cats have multiple kittens in one litter and can get pregnant up to three times per year, which means stray cats can overpopulate quickly and significantly impact themselves and their surroundings. Many shelters are at capacity and unable to effectively intake stray or feral cats, which puts them at high risk of euthanasia. TNR is the ethical choice to reduce and manage populations of outdoor cats without euthanizing innocent cats and kittens. How TNR Helps Cats and The Community TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) is the process of trapping a feral cat, having it spayed or neutered, and releasing it back to its original environment. The cats also have a veterinarian check-up and receive vaccinations during this procedure. While the cat is under anesthesia during the spay, the cat’s right ear is tipped to indicate that they have been fixed and vaccinated. The cats are then returned quickly, sometimes within 24 hours, to their original cat colony. TNR cats are known as Community Cats! Trap, neuter, return (TNR) is used to manage the population of free-roaming cats because it is currently very difficult to shelter, foster, or adopt out all the stray cats due to their staggering numbers. It is estimated that there are between 30 – 40 million stray cats in the United States. Female cats can reproduce as soon as they hit five months old, and they can carry multiple litters per year. Even with a widescale trap and euthanize movement, which would be highly unethical, it would hardly dent overall feral cat populations. It is estimated that 50% of unowned stray cats would have to be removed annually to decrease the overall feral cat population (source). Feral domestic cats, on average, live approximately seven years outdoors. A cat occupying a territory will prevent other cats from moving in. Sterilizing the local cat community will prevent new litters of kittens for at least 5 – 7 years until the sterilized cats pass away and new cats move in to assume the territory. With widescale TNR efforts for stray cat management, animal control and cat advocates have been effectively managing feral cat populations, wild cats, and urban stray cats have declined over time. Why TNR Is Controversial Opponents of TNR state that it is unethical to release cats back to the environment they were found because they may not have adequate access to food and shelter and are at greater risk of infectious diseases. People are also opposed to TNR due to outdoor cats’ destruction of birds. It is estimated that cats kill approximately 1 – 4 billion birds annually in the United States (source). Of these bird deaths, two-thirds are caused by stray cats, and domestic cats cause one-third. Bird deaths attributed to stray cats accounted for more than any other unnatural source, such as collisions with vehicles, buildings, windmills, etc. However, TNR is the most humane option for stray cats when the alternative is euthanasia at an animal shelter. Approximately 3.2 million cats are abandoned at animal shelters annually in the United States (source). Of these, 520,000 are euthanized due to a lack of available homes. Some people also say TNR and ear-tipping cats are cruel. However, the intention is not cruel, and the Community Cat programs also care for the cats once released. The ear-tip procedure is conducted while the cat is under anesthesia during the spay or neuter, and it’s a quick and easy recovery. While no one likes ear-tipping a cat, the alternatives simply aren’t there. When the alternative to feral cat management is to kill feral cats, then TNR is the ethical choice. The Impact Of Feral Cat Overpopulation The most dreaded time of the year for animal shelters and humane societies is kitten season. Kitten season is usually from April to October and can be the hardest time of the year for rescue personnel. Animal shelters become overrun by kittens and are forced to make very difficult decisions. With insufficient fosters and forever homes available, the only thing left to do is start euthanizing kittens as fast as they are coming in. Unfortunately, this is a grim reality every season for animal shelters. A cat’s gestation period is two months, and she will have an average of four kittens per pregnancy. Each female cat could produce as many as 20 kittens per kitten season. It breaks the heart of every humane society and shelter employee to euthanize litters of kittens simply because there are too many feral or stray cats and not enough resources. Cats coming from a feral cat colony are not always friendly and well-socialized pet cats. It takes time to tame feral cats and train them to be domestic animals. The easiest way to prevent this tragedy is with responsible pet ownership and to spay and neuter outdoor cats through TNR programs. Alternatives To TNR When it comes to feral and stray cats that don’t appear friendly, sending them to a shelter is near certain death. So what are the alternatives to the TNR method for feral cat control? Here are a few alternatives to TNR that we do not recommend. Controlling Feral Cat Populations Here are the most effective ways to control stray cat populations. These solutions account for other animals, animal shelter challenges, and community cat populations and still effectively reduce feral cat populations. Conclusion TNR has a significant positive impact on outdoor cat populations, and it is the most humane way of dealing with the overpopulation of outdoor or feral cats. Nobody wants to be the one euthanizing countless litters of kittens or entire feral cat colonies. Modern cats belong indoors, but there aren’t enough cat sanctuaries for feral cats. If enough communities support TNR programs, the free-roaming cat population will decline over time to manageable numbers.

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Why We Should Protect All Animals

Protecting animals and their habitats Although humans view themselves as being on top of the food chain, we do not integrate well into the natural ecosystem. We often disrupt fragile animal habitats without blinking an eye because a new shopping mall must be constructed. However, altering the natural habitat comes with consequences. We are in the midst of the 6th great extinction event, and everyone must help do their part to protect animals and help with wildlife conservation. What animals need help in your community and globally? Countless wild animals face the threat of extinction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintains a list of endangered and threatened animals. To protect these endangered animals, citizens and businesses must comply with the Endangered Species Act. This list is not all exhaustive, because it only lists the animals that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is aware of. It is estimated that globally 24 – 150 species are lost daily (source). This is a huge loss of biodiversity in the plant. You will also find domestic animals that need help if you look closely within your community. Approximately 6.3 million cats and dogs enter animal shelters annually within the United States (source). Of these, 920,000 are euthanized due to a lack of available homes and resources. You could make a large impact on these animals by adopting or becoming a foster parent for a local animal shelter. Do animals have rights? Within the United States, animals are viewed as property and do not hold rights of their own. Therefore, an owner could legally euthanize a perfectly healthy pet. Owners and businesses must comply with animal anticruelty laws, however, outside of the anticruelty parameters, animals have no other rights. You can find out more about the history of animal rights here. What happens to the ecosystem if an animal goes extinct? Ecosystems are incredibly fragile. Each ecosystem has keystone species that must be protected. Once a keystone species is removed, it has overwhelmingly negative effects on the environment. For example, a famous experiment by Robert Paine indicated the effects of removing a top predator from the food chain. When Paine removed all starfish from a local coastline the starfish prey, barnacles and mussels, flourished. However, due to the enormous boom in barnacle and mussel populations, their primary food source was wiped out, which caused a rapid decline in local biodiversity levels. Every organism, no matter how small, fulfills a niche. A niche is a role that an organism plays within an ecosystem. Having an animal go extinct has cascading effects on the remaining microorganisms in the local ecosystem. What animals are endangered? An animal is endangered if it has a threat of going extinct. Animals are primarily endangered due to a loss of habitat. Once an animal population reaches a certain threshold, it will also be endangered due to a loss of genetic diversity. Without genetic variation, the animal species will become inbred and have a greater predisposition to health concerns. You can protect endangered species by following these easy steps: Do not support businesses that contribute to the destruction of the environment, such as the businesses that are clearcutting the Amazon Rainforest. Plant native plants around your property to attract native pollinators. Limit the use of herbicides and pesticides Do not purchase animal products, such as ivory, or exotic animals Support a local wildlife refuge Why it’s important to protect animal habitat Habitat destruction is one of the main reasons for animals becoming endangered or extinct. Once an animal is gone, it is gone forever. You cannot bring back an animal from extinction. Furthermore, when animals are faced with habitat destruction, they begin to encroach on human habitat. Predator animals, such as bears or wolves, become more intertwined with society as their habitat dwindles. It is beneficial for us to protect their habitats, so they do not pose a threat to people. You could protect animal habitats by planting native plant species in your backyard. Avoid using pesticides and herbicides in your gardens as well. Pesticides will kill native pollinators and other native insect species, not just the intended pest insect. Native insects are needed to maintain local populations of reptiles and birds. What is wildlife conservation? Wildlife conservation attempts to protect both animal and plant species and their habitats from being destroyed. The greatest threats to wildlife conservation are habitat destruction, pollution, poaching, and climate change. Over harvesting is also detrimental to animal species because it depletes their populations faster than they replenish. You could get involved in environmental conservation and preservation by living sustainably. Your spending dollar has the biggest impact on business practices. Do not support businesses that are wiping out animal populations through habitat destruction or over harvesting. For example, opt for farm-raised fish rather than fish caught in the oceans. You could also donate to organizations, such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The WWF uses its donations to petition for legislation that allows humans and animal species to coexist. Farming and animal agriculture are at the top of the list for worst impact on natural habitats. Conclusion Do not get discouraged when you hear the great number of animal species going extinct daily. There is still time to protect animals and save biodiversity on this planet and mitigate the effects of climate change and habitat destruction. However, these changes cannot be completed overnight. Enlist the help of your family and friends to make small changes in your day-to-day lives to co-exist sustainably with local animal populations.

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Cat Colonies

Cat colonies and community cats Outdoor cat colonies can contain anywhere from two stray cats to over thirty. Stray cats depend on humans for survival and often hover close to human populations, even when they’re feral. The best ways to help outdoor cat colonies are to donate either time or money to local organizations, participate in TNR programs, or become a colony caretaker for the strays in your neighborhood. In this article, we’ll talk all about cat colonies, how rapidly they grow, how large their territory ranges, and how you can get involved to help the cats in your area. What is a group of cats called? A group of cats is known as a Clowder. You need three or more cats to have a clowder of them! If you have a group of kittens born to the same mother, they’re known as a litter. A group of cats living as strays outdoors is called a colony. There are actually many more names for a group of cats, including a Destruction and a Glaring. What is a cat colony? A cat colony is a group of stray cats living in the same territory outdoors. They can live anywhere from rural farmland to city streets but are typically located close to humans due to their dependency on us. It’s important that a cat colony has a human caretaker. This lengthens the lifespan of the cats and controls the population. When outdoor cats have a caretaker, we usually call them community cats! A good caretaker will ensure all cats receive veterinary care, including a spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations, and parasite prevention medication. They also typically feed the cats and help provide safe shelters. How many cats are in a colony? Cat colonies can begin with just two cats, but they usually multiply. Unless all of the cats are neutered or spayed, they’ll continue having kittens. Female cats can birth up to three litters each year. An average litter has 3-5 kittens, though some are much larger. One mother cat can produce over fifteen kittens each year—potentially many more if her litters are large. About half of these kittens will be female, and they’ll go on to have their own litters once they reach four months of age. By the time a mother cat births her third litter of five kittens each, the females from the first two litters—approximately five of them—will birth their own first or second litters. This adds over 35 more kittens to our count, all stemming from that first female cat within one year. This is how quickly a colony of two could turn into a colony of over 50 cats! Population control is our responsibility as humans because we’re the ones who domesticated cats and brought them into so many environments where they now live as invasive species. We promote TNR, or trap, neuter, return, as an ethical way to control stray and feral cat populations. How large is a feral cat’s territory? A feral cat’s territory can exceed 1300 acres, or about half a mile (source). Unaltered cats have more tendency to roam, as do those without a human caretaker to provide food. Unneutered male cats with no caretaker have the largest range. This is a far distance for a cat to travel, especially when you remember how much of their lives are spent sleeping! It’s also hazardous for the cat, as the study linked above shows them crossing roads and dying of disease. Do feral cats leave the colony? The closest members of the colony are the females. They will share food and even nurse each other’s kittens. Female cats interact within the colony regularly. Unneutered male cats have more tendency to wander and aren’t as interactive—at least, not until mating time rolls around. Cats don’t tend to leave their territory but instead linger near human dwellings as they get hungry. Remember, they’re domesticated animals—they rely on us for food, even if it’s via digging through our trash or eating the mice our garbage attracts. Male cats may wander away from the colony but typically remain in their territory and return as they please. How can I help a feral cat colony? There are many ways to help feral cat colonies. Here are some to consider:

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Outdoor Cat Terms and Definitions

Outdoor Cat Terms and Definitions If you’re new to cat rescue or advocacy, you might see many terms thrown around that you don’t understand! What is TNR, and how can you tell the difference between a stray and a feral cat? Stray cats are cats without owners, while feral cats are strays that aren’t human-friendly. TNR, or trap, neuter, return, is used to control the population growth of cat colonies (groups of cats who share territory). Cat colonies benefit from having a caretaker to feed them and bring them to the veterinarian when needed. In this article, we’ll talk more about these outdoor cat terms and definitions, what they mean, and how you can help stray cats in your area. What is a stray cat? A stray cat is a homeless outdoor cat with no owner. Stray cats may be feral or tame, depending on their upbringing and history. For instance, housecats are often dumped in rural areas. These cats have lived with humans their entire lives and are likely tame. They enjoy human contact and are used to living in a home. These cats are contenders for adoption. Often, they’re brought indoors by someone who’s fallen in love. (Ever heard the phrase, “we don’t choose cats, they choose us”?) Tame strays can also be fostered until a suitable home is found. Feral strays, on the other hand, aren’t used to living with humans and aren’t friendly. What is a feral cat? Feral cats avoid and fear humans. They grew up with minimal human contact and might even show fear or aggression when handled. It’s important to note that feral cats aren’t wild. All cats are domesticated animals and depend on humans to survive. This is why feral cats live just 2-5 years on average, compared to an indoor-only cat at 13-17 years (source). Many indoor cats these days are even living well into their twenties! Cats are also invasive species, not naturally occurring. They can decimate local ecosystems (source), and it’s our collective responsibility to control their population. Cat litter, on average, consists of 3-5 kittens. Female cats can have up to three litters per year. That can add up to over 100 kittens in her lifetime! The most humane way to manage this is TNR, or trap, neuter, return. Check out our other resources on Feral Cat Facts here. Stray cats vs feral cats All feral cats are stray cats—but not all strays are feral. As we discussed above, a feral cat is not human-friendly. They can sometimes be worked with to overcome their fear of humans and live successfully indoors. However, this takes a lot of effort. Stray cats are simply cats without owners. They may be feral or tame. Can feral cats be adopted? You may wonder, why not just tame feral cats and adopt them out instead? Unfortunately, it’s not so easy. The realistic answer is that there are simply too many cats in need of saving. Removing cats from the streets is a long process in overcrowded areas, and taming ferals takes up much more time and energy from the wonderful people doing this work. Sometimes the choice is, do we save and adopt out several litters of kittens or take the same amount of time to rehabilitate one feral cat? That one life is worthwhile—but you have to think of all the stress that a cat will go through in a human home and how many others will be born while cat rescuers focus on that work! Some people are passionate about taking in feral cats, and it’s not a bad thing at all. Just resource-intensive. Lastly, we’ll note that feral cats brought to shelters are euthanized as they’re considered unadoptable. This is why it’s better to leave them on the streets if you cannot take them in yourself. Here are some tips about caring for an outdoor cat. What are Community Cats? Community cats are stray cats. There is no difference! Like strays, community cats can be tame or feral. What is a cat colony? A cat colony is a group of cats that live together. They can consist of feral and tame cats. Often, they’re a group of related female cats and their kittens. Colonies share resources such as space and food. They’re cooperative, and female cats might even nurse another’s babies! What is a colony caretaker? Some colonies receive help from a human who cares for them. This person is known as a colony caretaker. They usually live nearby and provide food and medical care to the colony. If you’re interested in being a caretaker for your local cats, we highly recommend it! It can lengthen their lifespan considerably and keep the cats healthier and happier overall. For those short on funds, try reaching out to your local rescue and TNR groups. They may be able to help with expenses like veterinary care. Low-cost programs also exist for neutering and spaying cats. They often charge even lower for stray cats and will ear-tip them. What are domestic cats? Domestic cats are the species of cat domesticated by humans thousands of years ago. Some people falsely believe that a “domestic cat” refers to a housecat—but this isn’t true. Strays and pets are both domestic cats. Non-domestic cats are wild cats, such as tigers, lions, or bobcats. What is a cat foster? Earlier, we mentioned that tame strays can be fostered until a “forever home” is found. But you may be wondering, what is a cat foster? If you’re familiar with human foster homes, it’s the same concept. A volunteer brings the cat into their home until a more permanent solution is found. This helps keep cats out of shelter environments, whether to prevent overcrowding or because the cat isn’t suitable to live in a shelter. For instance, maybe they’re incredibly shy and need help coming out of their shell before adoption. Or, they may have a medical issue requiring more hands-on care than shelter workers can provide. Kittens without mothers

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Animal Welfare Organizations Fighting For Animal Rights

You can be an advocate for animals Animals cannot advocate for themselves, so they need someone to advocate for them. Animal welfare organizations bring a multitude of resources together to collectively fight for the same goal. Animal rights are usually not a top priority for congressmen, so these organizations must bring a lot of campaigning and awareness to the table. What do animal welfare organizations do? Animal welfare organizations want to ensure that animals are treated humanely, no matter if the animal is a domestic animal, farm animal, or wild animal. These organizations will petition for improved animal rights legislation, provide education to the public about animal rights, and rescue animals from abuse. Animal welfare organizations are usually nonprofit organizations dedicated to using all available resources to assist animals. What types of groups help animals? There are a variety of organizations committed to helping animals. Some of these organizations may even be located by you! Some of these organizations include: Humane Societies Contrary to popular belief, humane societies are not part of 1 large organization. Humane societies are independently run, but they may apply to receive funding from larger facilities. Humane societies will typically take in domestic pets from kill shelters before they are put down. These organizations have animal transport networks behind the scenes that move animals to larger cities where they have a better chance of being adopted. Support your local humane society by donating, volunteering your time, or adopting an animal. Animal Rescue Organizations Animal rescues sometimes encompass humane societies. However, there are also animal rescue organizations dedicated to saving wild animals. Wild animals are impacted by human activities, such as driving or mowing. For example, when a mom rabbit is struck and killed by a lawnmower, an animal rescue organization can take in the baby rabbits to save them from dying of starvation. Nonprofit Organizations Organizations such as The Best Friends Animal Society or The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) are 501c3 nonprofit animal welfare organizations that bring a wealth of knowledge and support for animal rights. Veterinarian Offices Your local veterinarian may point you in the right direction if you need assistance with finding a new home for an animal. Local vets will have knowledge of which humane societies are great to work with. They can also assist if you find an injured animal. Animal Hospitals As veterinarians, animal hospitals can help injured pets and some times farm animals. What organizations push for animal rights through policy and activism? One of the most well-known animal rights activist groups is People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). PETA is supported by over 9 million members worldwide, and they are growing larger every year. PETA was founded in 1980, and since has achieved several animal rights reforms. For example, PETA has encouraged fashion designers to not use animal fur in their clothing lines. PETA has also gotten automobile crash testers to stop using animals during the tests. What is the biggest or most popular animal welfare organization? You probably have many local animal welfare organizations. However, these local organizations will be limited in scope and have access to a limited number of funds. The bigger organizations have greater access to resources. Three of the biggest animal welfare organizations include: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) The American Humane Society (AHS) The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) The ASPCA was founded in 1866 by Henry Bergh (source). The ASPCA was the first humane society to be founded in the United States, and it’s campaigning caused New York State to pass the first animal cruelty law. Today, the ASPCA is committed to helping the lives of animals nationwide. With millions of followers and access to a significant amount of funding, the ASPCA is making a difference in the lives of shelter animals. The AHS was founded in 1877 by bringing together representatives from 27 humane organizations in 10 different states (source). The AHS is committed to ending the abuse and neglect of both children and animals. Throughout the years, the AHS has led initiatives, such as the “No Animals were Harmed” program in Hollywood, and the Animal Humane Farm Program. The AHS is also infamous for assisting in animal rescues after natural disasters. The HSUS was founded in 1954, and it is committed to animal advocacy (source). The HSUS’s primary goal is to stop animal cruelty before it starts with education and legislature. Conclusion Animal rights need to be brought into the 21st century by updating the current legislature. Animal welfare organizations are fighting every day to ensure that animals can no longer be abused or neglected. You can find your local animal welfare organization if you were interested in joining the fight.

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Farm Animal Rights

Farm animal abuses, policies, and solutions Farm animals have been suffering for decades on factory farms. Although the world is infatuated with chicken nuggets and hamburgers, it is unethical to raise animals in these conditions. Factory farms exploit animals by raising them in unsanitary conditions, and policy reform for farm animal rights is sorely needed. Overview of factory farming Millions of farm animals are raised in horrifying factory farm conditions annually. These animals include chickens, pigs, cattle, turkeys, and other aquaculture animals. Chickens are the most raised animal on factory farms. Over 9 billion chickens are slaughtered for meat in the United States annually. In addition to these 9 billion broiler chickens, 300 million are raised for egg-laying. Broiler chickens are raised in large sheds, typically full of 20,000 chickens each, where the chickens are exposed to dangerous levels of ammonia due to unsanitary living conditions. Laying chickens are not treated much better. Laying hens are crowded in small, windowless wire cages. It is common practice to remove part of a hen’s beak to prevent them from pecking each other to death due to overcrowding (source). The United States processed roughly 120 million pigs annually (source). These pigs are kept in pens without access to sunlight or fresh air. Similarly with chickens, these industrial pigpens become filled with dangerous levels of ammonia which causes health issues within the pigs. Roughly 39 million cattle are slaughtered in the United States annually (source). Meat cows are raised out in a pasture until roughly 6 months – 1-year-old, where they are sent to commercial feedlots. Commercial feedlots will deprive the cattle of grass and force them to reach butcher weight on grain alone. Turkeys are raised in similar pens as chickens, and over 240 million turkeys are processed annually (source). Turkeys suffer from the same health concerns and poor living conditions as chickens. Current farm animal rights policies and protections On a federal level, farm animal protections are lacking. The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act provides protections for all animals in USDA inspected slaughterhouses. This Act does not encompass poultry or rabbits, and they are in dire need of policy reform. The Twenty-Eight Hour Law is governed by the USDA and requires animals to be unloaded from trucks, and given access to food, water, and rest once every 28 hours. The animals must be provided with rest for a minimum of 5 hours during this rest period. New farm animal rights policies The Farm System Reform Act has been reintroduced in 2021 by Senator Cory Booker and Representative Ro Khanna (source). Unfortunately, this act has been introduced in both 2019 and 2020 with limited success. The Farm System Reform Act intends to stop reliance on factory farms by phasing out commercial feeding operations and strengthening protections for family farms. The Farm System Reform Act would also require meat to be labeled with its country of origin for beef, pork, and dairy products. What is Restorative Farming? Industrial farming has killed biodiversity within the Midwest. Farming practices where fence rows are pushed out to maximize crop space have caused a significant decrease in wild animal populations. Restorative farming intends to reverse some of the effects of industrial farming through easy-to-follow farming principles. Farmers can follow restorative farming principles by not tilling soil. Rather, cover crops may be planted which will naturally restore necessary nutrients to the soil. This also decreases top soil erosion and soil run off. Farmers should also plant a diverse crop rotation to give the soil a chance to “rest” in between crop types and follow rotational grazing. Rotational grazing for farm animals moves them between pastures to allow time for the pasture to re-grow. This is greatly beneficial for farm animals as it prevents manure build-up and reduces the need for antibiotics. How can I help farm animals? One of the best ways that you can help farm animal rights is to report any witnessed abuse. If the abuse is occurring at your place of employment, this may be a difficult decision for you. However, several anonymous hotlines exist where you can report the abuse to: PETA’s National Hotline – 757-622-7382 Mercy for Animals – Dial Option 4 to Report Farm Animal Abuse – 866-632-6446 Animal Outlook – 800-65-FARM If you feel comfortable directly reporting the abuse to law enforcement, you should compile as much proof of the abuse as possible. You will have to fill out a police report, and cooperate with the police over the course of their investigation. Other actions you could take include writing your elected official to advocate for policy changes. Elected officials work for the people and your voice matters. Sending a written letter is a great way to showcase why your current state needs stronger farm animal rights. If you have the means and opportunity, you may also organize a protest or rally. Staging a peaceful protest by a local farm animal abuser is a great way to get the media’s attention. Check into local laws for details on which permits, if any, you will need to conduct a lawful protest. Conclusion Although farm animals are mistreated daily by factory farms, there are ways you could help. Encourage your friends and family to be proactive in the fight for farm animal rights. You could help by limiting the amount of meat you purchase from factory farms and supporting local family farms instead. There are companies like Because, Animals, that are doing a great job supporting the vegan animal welfare community. Check out their natural pet products and get free shipping on your next order!

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Best TNR Equipment

Best TNR Equipment We’ve tried and tested all the equipment used in TNR, and here are some of our favorites. Using good gear will help keep you and the kitties safe. Durable equipment, quiet traps, and proper bedding products can make for a better experience for all humans and cats involved. Check out our top recommended cat products and our notebooks for cat lovers for additional recommendations on sweet cat gear. If you run a shelter or TNR program, check out our animal shelter software’s top picks to help you stay organized. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Best Cat Traps When it comes to catching cats, having the right trap is critical. There are a few things you need in a cat trap, and these two traps have them all. They are large enough to catch any cat and have a rear door, making care and transportation easier. Trapping Accessories Never open a trap with a feral cat in it unless you want the cat to get out. Even if you think the cat is calm and won’t spring for freedom. That’s where a trap divider comes in. You can block off the cat so you can open the trap and change food or bedding. Here are a few cat-trapping accessories that will make the job easier. Kennels and Cages Keeping the kitties contained but with space to move is ideal when working with feisty animals. This equipment is great for longer-stay ferals, and cat fosters alike. Best Food For Feral Cats Here’s some inexpensive food and treats that ferals and strays absolutely love. We feed our ferals grain-free wet food, and the other neighbors leave dry kibble as well. In addition to delicious wet food, bring some treats to the colony next visit and treat those kitties to extra lovin! It’s a great way to socialize even the most timid of cats. Flea And Worm Treatment For Feral Cats

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Declawing Cats

The Truth About Declawing Cats One of the most frequent complaints from cat owners about their indoor cats is them using the furniture as a scratching post. Unfortunately, some pet owners turn towards declawing as the solution to this problem. Cat declawing is a procedure that should only be performed under rare conditions to improve the well-being of your cat. Declawing causes both harm and long-term pain to cats and should not be performed to prevent scratching. Why Do People Declaw Cats? People declaw cats for all the wrong reasons. Cats are declawed because pet owners worry about furniture being destroyed or becoming scratched themselves. However, the medical risk from cat scratches is lower than a cat bite. Cats scratching behavior can be improved through training and positive reinforcement. Is It Cruel To Declaw A Cat? It may be difficult to understand why declawing a cat is cruel without understanding the anatomy of a cat. Declawing is not like trimming your fingernails. Instead, declawing a cat is the equivalent of amputating your fingers at the knuckle. The entire knuckle bone must be removed so that the nail does not grow back in a cat. The cat declawing surgery causes a great deal of pain and long-term side effects to the cat and their normal cat behavior. Declawing must be performed under anesthesia and carries a risk of postoperative complications. Once your cat has healed, its posture is forever changed by the procedure. Without their nails, the cat’s feet do not sit properly on the ground, and this causes difficulty while walking. Not only this, but your cat also risks developing bone spurs or nerve damage (source). Is Declawing A Cat Illegal? While declawing a cat is not illegal at the federal level in the United States, it is unlawful in several states and cities. New York first banned declawing cats in 2019 (source), and other states have legislature currently under review. Cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, and St. Louis have also outlawed declawing. Declawing cats has even been banned worldwide in over 23 countries. Declawing a cat is illegal because it is considered an elective surgery that does more harm than good to a cat and can cause long-lasting pain to the animal. Aside from rare situations, there are no medical benefits from declawing a cat. Cats may suffer long-term consequences from being declawed, such as nerve damage and walking pain. Declawing Cats Pros And Cons Unfortunately, there are some cat owners who would rather put their cats down than find alternatives to declawing. If the cat’s behavioral issues are not corrected properly, the cat may become too much for the owner to handle. Even though animal shelters and humane societies are often overflowing with cats, rather than declawing your cat, you should consider finding it another home. However, declawed cats have several significant cons. Declawing causes immediate pain and discomfort to your cat, as well as future issues, such as back or walking pain. Declawing also prevents a cat from properly stretching their muscles and scratching. A cat’s paw pads also contain scent glands, and scratching is a cat’s way of marking its territory. One-third of all cats who are declawed develop behavioral issues down the line (source). This stems from not being able to perform a behavior that a cat’s claws are designed to do. Is There A Humane Way To Declaw Cats? Unfortunately, there is no humane way to declaw cats. Declawing is a barbaric and outdated procedure. Under rare conditions, your vet may recommend declawing if it improves the well-being of your cat. Cats may develop cancerous nail bed tumors, requiring a declaw surgery to be performed on a cat’s paw. Unless deemed medically necessary by your vet, there is no humane way to declaw a cat. Here is the current policy from the American Veterinary Medical Association. The humane alternative to declawing is to encourage cats scratching behavior on the appropriate surfaces. Alternatives To Cat Declawing Rather than declawing the front paws, it would be helpful to focus on behavioral modification, which can make a significant difference. Encouraging your cat to scratch on a scratching post will save your furniture and keep you from wanting to pull out your hair. Make available vertical surfaces, corrugated cardboard, and scratching posts as other alternatives. Reward your cat with a special treat anytime they use the scratching post. Scratching should be discouraged on furniture by using double-sided tape or aluminum foil. Cats can be trained just as quickly as other animals if you use positive reinforcement. Some cats may stubbornly resist, but that does not mean you have to turn to a declaw procedure. Cat vinyl nail caps are a safe and harmless alternative to declawing, and they are definitely worth a shot! You can use a surgical glue to glue the nail caps on, and they will last about 4 – 8 weeks as your cat’s nails grow. They even come in all sorts of fabulous colors to let your cat’s inner diva shine! Some pet owners are worried about scratches on their arms, especially if they are on immunosuppressants or blood thinners. Rather than declawing, you could use a pet nail trimmer to keep your cat’s nails short. Soft paws and short cat claws will not harm you as severely a cat’s scratch from untrimmed nails. Conclusion There is only one legitimate reason for the declawing surgical procedure, and that’s in rare cases of medical issues to protect the life of your feline friend. Humane alternatives to declawing should be considered, and we should work to ban declawing cats altogether. Most cats will prefer dedicated scratching surfaces and will avoid deterrants like double-sided sticky tape, which makes fixing scratching behavioral problems simply a practice in patience. Scratching is a natural behavior, and your pet deserves to scratch things. Just make sure it’s scratching posts, cat trees, and sisal rope. These will help avoid destructive behavior because they have the proper scratching surface

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How You Can Help Stop Animal Cruelty

How you can help stop animal cruelty Imagine being powerless to speak up against your attacker. Animals are abused every day, and they are unable to speak or stand up for themselves. That is why people like you and me need to help stop animal cruelty. You can become involved in your local animal welfare organizations through either volunteer work or donating. What is considered animal cruelty? Animal cruelty is not just one type of behavior (source). Animal cruelty includes people who neglect their pets and those who kill or maim animals. Animals have basic needs that need to be met. If you are not meeting those as a pet owner, that is considered animal cruelty. Animals need to be fed, watered, properly socialized, and receive proper veterinary care. Ways you can get involved to stop animal cruelty There are easy ways that you can help stop animal cruelty in your local area: Adopt or foster a pet 6.3 million cats and dogs enter animal shelters in the United States on an annual basis. Of these, approximately 920,000 become euthanized due to lack of space or funding (source). By adopting a pet, you can lessen the burden on these animal shelters. Of course, you should only adopt if you have the space and time to care for a pet. If you are not ready to make a long-term commitment, you can always choose to be a foster fur parent instead. Fostering an animal comes with no strings attached and frees up additional space at the animal shelter. The animal shelter will typically pay for the animal’s veterinary bills for shots or annual checkups. Keeping animals socialized in foster homes is a great way to make sure they will find a loving forever home. Donate to an animal welfare organization Local humane societies are always hurting for funding. Nonprofit organizations must survive on donations from the public or by being awarded grants. You can assist another animal in finding a safe and loving home by donating to your local humane society or fostering an animal. Your donation could make the difference between an animal finding a forever home or being euthanized. Be a responsible pet owner Having your pet neutered or spayed is the most responsible choice you could make as a pet owner. Not only are you reducing the number of puppies or kittens looking for new homes, but it is also medically beneficial. Spaying significantly reduces the chances of ovarian and breast cancer in a dogs and neutering significantly reduced the chances of your pet developing prostate cancer (source). Reduce Your carbon footprint Plastic takes centuries to degrade, and it leeches toxins into the environment as it breaks down. Plastic also harms animals in the wild if they ingest or get wrapped up in it. Reduce your carbon footprint by becoming less reliant on plastic. If you see something – say something If you know someone currently abusing an animal, you should report them to the police. Animal cruelty is not something that is taken lightly by the police. Individuals who harm animals are much more likely to cause harm to other people. You could potentially save someone’s life by issuing a report for animal cruelty. Top animal welfare organizations Thankfully, many animal welfare organizations are committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of animals. Each organization will have a different focus and mission goal. Some organizations may focus on marine animals or farm animals, while others shift their focus to cats and dogs. Nevertheless, the top animal welfare organizations include: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Best Friends Animal Society Animal Welfare Institute The Marine Mammal Center The Humane Society of the United States Top companies abusing animals Individuals are not the only ones guilty of animal cruelty. Some companies have a long history of abusing animals for money and publicity. The top companies abusing animals include: SeaWorld Marine animals can be abused as easily as land animals, and SeaWorld has made a lot of money from using dolphins, orcas, and other marine life (source). Between their forced breeding programs and small living enclosures, SeaWorld has committed its fair share of animal cruelty. Tyson Foods, Inc One of the most infamous for the mistreatment of animals is Tyson Foods. Tyson Foods has recently violated federal laws when chickens were left to die from exposure, burned to death, and drowned in boiling water. This is a small drop in the bucket for the animal cruelty that Tyson Foods has been accused of internationally. Petco Department stores like Walmart have banned the sale of live fish because they are not adequately cared for at retail locations. Live fish are often sold in small plastic cups, which are too small and cramped for the fish to thrive. Not to mention that customers have found several fish dead on their shelves.

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What To Know About Fostering Cats

What To Know About Fostering Cats Fostering cats is a noble quest for any cat or animal lover. Many cat lovers become cat fosters through relationships with their local shelters or rescue groups. Being an animal lover and having space in your home is a great start to considering fostering, but here are a few other things you should know about fostering cats. • Ensure your current cats are up to date on their healthcare – before you bring in any fosters, ensure the cats in your home are up to date on their vaccinations. • Understand what the rescuer expects because they are all different. While some pay for medical care and food, others only cater to vetting. Getting such details can help you understand the entire fostering process. • Know your limits and express your concerns – if you do not want bottle-fed kittens, you should let the rescue group know. Giving the kittens or cats the best foster home is the primary objective. How to gain trust with a foster cat When you foster a cat, the first challenge is to gain its trust. Remember, most rescues are anxious and stressed at the time, making it hard to gain their affection. First, create a safe place to make your cat comfortable and feel safe. Cats love to hide to help them feel safe, so be sure their room has safe hiding places like boxes, cat beds, and forts. Some cats prefer to stay in their carrier to until they feel comfortable enough to come out. Be patient and let the cat acclimate at their own pace. Appealing to the cat’s appetite can also help. Typically, cats are interested in becoming friends with people who feed them. Try setting up a routine for your cat and stick to it to gain their trust. In a short time, the feeding routine will become the best part of their day! Cats can sense the emotion in the room, so remember to always stay calm and use positive reinforcement to encourage correct behavior. Here are a few of our favorite cat snacks and stress relief products to help you bond. How to make a foster cat happy Making a cat you don’t know yet happy might be challenging. However, here are some general tips that might prove helpful. How to foster multiple cats If you are considering fostering multiple cats, ensure you have ample space for each cat to feel comfortable. Multiple cats need a lot of space to roam, play, rest, and feed. It is also essential for foster parents to be able to provide for the cats in every aspect, ranging from food to medical care. Foster parents should understand that nursing mothers, kittens, and adults have different needs. How to foster a cat with special needs Fostering a cat with special needs is challenging but extremely important and rewarding. Cats with special needs are usually overlooked during the adoption process. However, if you are passionate about animals and are able to handle the extra responsibilities, fostering a special needs cat is one of the noblest things you can do as a cat lover. Cat with special needs may have physical or mental limitations. Some suffer from emotional needs after surviving traumatic and abusive environments. It is crucial to be patient because rescue cats take time to adjust and trust people trying to help them. You can easily establish a rapport with the cat and eventually a long-lasting relationship with time. Finally, researching online or seeking help from an expert can help you become a better foster. If you want to foster a special needs cat, take time to evaluate its environmental requirements, emotional needs, and commitment to the animal.

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The Rescue Ranger