In New York City, the resources for community cat caregivers are growing. Alley Cat Allies, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), and the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals® have joined forces to create a new in-person workshop and online course, with a comprehensive guide and educational videos. These workshops and online course will begin in July, and the goal is to offer workshops in all five NYC boroughs by the end of 2014.

Individuals who attend a workshop or complete the online course and become certified can have access to the ASPCA’s free or low-cost spay/neuter clinic, trap loans, transportation of cats to and from spay/neuter clinics, and more. They also will receive a copy of the Guide to Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and Colony Management.

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and Colony Management Workshop teaches individuals how to be a safe and effective caretaker of feral cat colonies by utilizing TNR methods. It provides the basics of TNR and colony management, including the steps of humane trapping (preparations, equipment, and techniques); arranging for spay/neuter; caring for the cats pre- and post-surgery; feeding; setting up adequate shelter; and discussion of the “big picture” of TNR, including ongoing colony management and working with neighbors and the community at large. In addition, it explains why TNR works to reduce feral cat numbers and why other methods, such as trap and remove, have failed.

The workshop and online course are also useful to anyone interested in starting a TNR program or advocating for the acceptance of TNR in their community.

To sign up for a workshop, visit www.animalalliancenyc.org.
Read the press release.
Learn how to start a workshop in your community.