Do You Need Help with a Feral Cat Colony?

If you have outdoor cats in your neighborhood, or you are feeding outdoor cats, you can get them spayed/neutered for FREE–no strings attached and no hoops to jump through. E-mail us at: pacacats@aol.com or call (505) 255-0544 and leave a message. We can loan you traps and show you how to use them. New Mexico Animal Friends Street Cat Companions, Animal Humane New Mexico, and the City of Albuquerque all underwrite and fund this effort. The cats will be fixed, treated for any medical issues they have, and get their shots. Please contact us NOW, before there is another litter!

Feral Cat Facts

-         Adult  Feral cats cannot usually be adopted out from a shelter, because they are not used to being around humans

-         If feral kittens are introduced and socialized to humans before about 5 weeks, there is  hope for them to be adopted

-         A stray (not feral) cat can be adopted; these are the cats that have been abandoned or strayed from home and got lost

-         Feral cats are actually documented as being healthier than many house cats, due to the hardiness they gain from living outside

-        The main cause of wildlife depletion is not feral cats but actually human made structures and creations

-        Feral cats should not be brought to a shelter/pound (they will most likely end up euthanized)

-         The catch and kill method does not work in reducing cat numbers because a new colony of cats will set up residence once the first group is gone

-         The most proven method of managing feral cat populations is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)

TNR Basics

-         Trap = humanely trap cats

-         Neuter = taking cats in their traps to a veterinarian or sterilization clinic to be fixed,                   vaccinated, and ear tipped

-         Return = take the cats in their traps back to their outdoor environment and release them

-         Set a feeding schedule where you feed and provide water to the cats at the same time and place every day (1-2 weeks before scheduled trapping)

-         Withhold this food 24 hours before trapping day

-         Prepare the traps away from the trap site, where you line the bottom with newspaper (optional) and place a tablespoon of bait at the back of the trap

-         Place traps on level ground and don’t leave unattended (watch from a distance)

-         Make note of where each trap was placed so that you can return the cat to the same area

-         Cover the traps with a towel or blanket once they are sprung

-         After their time at the vet/clinic, return the cats to where they were trapped and clean traps in preparation for your next trapping adventure!

Benefits of TNR

-         Reduced population of cat colonies

-         Less noise and fighting due to cat mating behavior when unsterilized

-         Less odor from male spraying

-         Lower euthanasia rates at shelters of both feral and adoptable cats, since more space

-         Lower animal control costs due to less trapping/euthanizing by the City

-         A reduction in overall community complaints about cats

Albuquerque Spay/Neuter Options

1) Organizaton: Street Cat Companions

Number: 881-7297 (NM Animal Friends)

Days: Second Sunday of Month: Animal Humane (615 Virginia SE)

* Currently No Fee

Comments: Each cat accompanied by pet carrier and towel; Drop-off at 8:00am

2) Organizaton: Animal Humane NM

Number: 217-0300

Days: Monday-Thursday

* Currently No Fee

Comments: Each cat should come in covered trap, have pet carrier and towel; Drop-off from 7:00 to 7:30 am

Obtaining Traps

Name: New Mexico Animal Friends

Number: 881-7297, Option #3 (Jayne)

Name: Animal Humane of NM

Number: 255-5523, ext. 105 (Shellie)

Recommended Trap to Purchase:

True-Catch Gravity-Driven Trap, available only by mail order