Advice and Resources for Caretakers

Resolving Conflicts

Hopefully conflicts never happen, but when they do here are some solutions from our friends at Alley Cat Allies:
• Negotiation Tips
• When the Neighbors Complain
• Trouble with Property Management
• Interactions with Animal Control
• Citations and Fines
• Violent Threats Against Cats
• Cats in Your Care Are Harmed or Killed
• Protecting Cats With Law Enforcement
• When Your Local Shelter Kills Feral and Unowned Cats
• Fight Laws and Policies That Endanger Cats
• Help With Ordinances
• Defend Against Misinformation

Being Proactive

How can I be a great advocate for feral cats within my community? Learn from the experts at Alley Cat Allies:
• Follow Best Practices
• How to Advocate For Cats
• Connect With Other Cat Advocates
• Know Your Community
• Educate Others and Fight Misinformation

Down The Rabbit Hole…

Ready to know more? There is a great deal of information and misinformation on the web about feral, semi-feral, unowned, barn cats and community cats.
Here are some excellent resources to dive into. These will help you build a foundation of knowledge that will help you spot and fight misinformation when you encounter it.

• Stray Pet Advocacy Comprehensive research, data and articles on the most pressing issues facing feral cat activists.
• Alley Cat Allies First national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats.
• Neighborhood Cats NYC’s Feral Cat Rescue – Founded in 1999 and originated the practice of TNVR.
• Bideawee Founded in 1909 in NYC, Bideawee is one of the nations’ first no-kill shelters. They provide resources and information about helping community cats within a city environment.
• FixNation Los Angeles’ first, full-time spay-neuter facility. They provide resources, information and caregiver tips.
• Animals & Society Institute A nonprofit human-animal relationship think tank that is devoted to advancing human knowledge to improve animal lives.
• Maueyes Leading cat behavioral scientist, Kristyn Vitale, PhD., studies the social interactions and behaviors of cats free-roaming and within the home.

Outdoor Shelters

They need not be expensive or complex

But they do need to provide protection from the elements and preditors.

Here are some tips for building and providing great shelters for your colony:
• Bideawee – Safe, warm and dry shelter for your colony.
• Alley Cat Allies – Various Shelters and How To Make Them.

Constructing a simple shelter

Winterizing an outdoor shelter

Converting a dog house into a cat house

Example of a fancy shelter

Safely Feeding Feral Cats

Here are some resources to help you know how to feed them safely and properly:
• Alley Cat Allies – Feeding Stations and Location
• Neighborhood Cats – Feeding Stations
• Fix Nation – Feeding Stations
• Bideawee – Feeding Stations

Racoon and skunk proof feeding station

Keep the water flowing!

We all know water freezes in winter, here are some tips from Neighborhood Cats to prevent water bowls from freezing up.

Find a Kitten?

What To Do If You Find a Kitten – How to Make the Right Call

by Kitten Lady, Hannah Shaw, kitten rescuer, humane educator and New York Times best selling author.

So you’ve found kittens or cats in your yard?

How to: Know what to do when you find kittens outside.
How to: Know how old that kitten is.
How to: Socialize kittens and break the cycle.
If they’re old enough, Register them now.

More resources from Kitten Lady, Hannah Shaw

https://www.kittenlady.org/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5VvB6tmC4lu_WCx7hE0PZA

How To Safely Trap Cats for TNVR

Trapped cats require care and continuous monitoring.

For the best outcomes:
• Only trap cats the night before their scheduled TNVR visit.
• Keep trapped cats covered at all times.
  Trap covers keep the cat calm and quiet.
  This is important for your safety, the safety of the cat and our team.
• Move trapped cats to a safe, warm and dry location.
• Look for any trapped mother cats that may be nursing.
  Read this important article by Alley Cat Allies TNR Scenarios: Nursing Mother Cat
  Mother cats with young 0 to 8 weeks old must be released immediately.
  Kittens 8 to 12 weeks may qualify for TNVR. Contact us for details.
• Check in on them frequently and throughout the night.
• After their operation, cats need time to recover.
  Read this important article about post-op care by Alley Cat Allies Post Surgery Care

To learn all of the important steps about trapping and the care of trapped cats, visit
Neighborhood Cats – Trapping Basics.

Quick trap guide

Trap in action

Remember: Always keep trapped cats covered

Caretaker Updates

Keeping us informed about your colony has never been easier!

Now you can: register new cats, schedule trap returns, share pictures of your colony, change your contact info, and much more!

Update Topics(Required)

Select the appropriate update(s) you need to inform us about

Update My Colony Census

Schedule New Cats

Schedule Trap Return

Share Pictures of my Shelter, Feeding Station and/or Colony

I Have a New Phone Number

I have a New Email

Add Another Caretaker

Remove an Added Caretaker

I'm Moving

Cat(s) Have Been Displaced

Other

Is this your first time registering with us?(Required)

This form is Registered Caretakers with new additions to their colonies.

No

Yes

New Registration

We're sorry, this form is for current Colony Caretakers. If you have not registered your colony with us before, Get Started Now

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Your Information

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Your Name(Required)

First Last

Your Email(Required)

Your Phone(Required)

Your Address(Required)

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Preferred Method of Contact

Call

Text

Email

Mail

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Update my Colony Census

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How many cats are currently in your colony?(Required)

Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0.

How many kittens are currently in your colony?(Required)

Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0.

Kitten Age Quick Guide

Click for a larger view

Are any of these kittens less than 8 weeks old?(Required)

Yes

No

Unsure

How many are less than 8 weeks old?(Required)

Please enter a number greater than or equal to 1.

Are all of the cats and/or kittens spayed or neutered?(Required)

Yes

No

New Cat and Kitten Registry has been added

Please scroll down to register these new cats and kittens for TNVR.

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Other Colony Census Info?

Is there anything you'd like to add about your current colony?

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New Cat and Kitten Registry for Registered Caretakers

We will work with you to get your colony as close to 100% spayed/neutered as possible. Let us know if there are cats yet to do and we will reach out to you as soon as a surgery date becomes available.

Reminder: This form is for current Colony Caretakers. If you have not registered your colony: Get Started Now

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How many new cats need TNVR?(Required)

Includes kittens 12 weeks and older

Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0.

How many kittens need TNVR?(Required)

Less than 12 weeks old

Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0.

Kitten Age Quick Guide

Click for a larger view

Are any of the kittens less than 8 weeks old?(Required)

Yes

No

Unsure

How many kittens are less than 8 weeks old?(Required)

Less that 12 weeks old

Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0.

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Trap Returns

Lets us know your availability and we'll contact you with appointment options to drop off your traps.

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When are you available?(Required)

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Select All

Wednesday Availability(Required)

8:00 - 9:00 am

9:00 - 10:00 am

10:00 - 11:00 am

11:00 - 12:00 noon

Select All

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First Choice

Second Choice

Third Choice

Thursday Availability(Required)

8:00 - 9:00 am

9:00 - 10:00 am

10:00 - 11:00 am

11:00 - 12:00 noon

Select All

Friday Availability(Required)

8:00 - 9:00 am

9:00 - 10:00 am

10:00 - 11:00 am

11:00 - 12:00 noon

Select All

Saturday Availability(Required)

8:00 - 9:00 am

9:00 - 10:00 am

10:00 - 11:00 am

11:00 - 12:00 noon

Select All

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I Want to Share Pictures of my Shelter, Feeding Station and/or Colony

Thank you for thinking to share images of your colony! Please note, not all images sent to us will be displayed. We may reach out to you to schedule a photo session with a volunteer photographer or filmmaker to produce high quality images / video clips to update how-to guides or to produce a caretaker shout-out!

Image Size Requirements

Please submit images in the following format:

• File Type .jpg or .png
• Image Size 1500 px on the longest side
• DPI or PPI 72 to 150

Max of 5 images and 8mb total per upload

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Photo Upload(Required)

Drop files here or Select files

Accepted file types: jpg, png, Max. file size: 8 MB, Max. files: 5.

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Update my Phone Number

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Replace or Keep Old Number?(Required)

Replace old number

Keep both numbers - New number is primary

Keep both numbers - Old number is primary

Old Phone Number(Required)

New Phone Number(Required)

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Update my Email Address

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New Email(Required)

Old Email(Required)

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Add an Additional Caretaker to my Colony

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How many households are you adding?(Required)

1

2

3

Additional Caretaker - Household 1

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Household 1: Caretaker 1(Required)

First Last

Phone: Caretaker 1(Required)

Email: Caretaker 1(Required)

Preferred Method of Contact: Caretaker 1(Required)

Call

Text

Email

Household 1: Caretaker 2

First Last

Phone: Caretaker 2

Email: Caretaker 2

Preferred Method of Contact: Caretaker 2

Call

Text

Email

Household 1: Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City AlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahU.S. Virgin IslandsVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific State ZIP Code

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Additional Caretaker - Household 2

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Household 1: Caretaker 1(Required)

First Last

Phone: Caretaker 1(Required)

Email: Caretaker 1(Required)

Preferred Method of Contact: Caretaker 1(Required)

Call

Text

Email

Household 2: Caretaker 2

First Last

Phone: Caretaker 2

Email: Caretaker 2

Preferred Method of Contact: Caretaker 2

Call

Text

Email

Household 2: Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City AlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahU.S. Virgin IslandsVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific State ZIP Code

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Additional Caretaker - Household 3

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Household 3: Caretaker 1(Required)

First Last

Phone: Caretaker 1(Required)

Email: Caretaker 1(Required)

Preferred Method of Contact: Caretaker 1(Required)

Call

Text

Email

Household 3: Caretaker 2

First Last

Phone: Caretaker 2

Email: Caretaker 2

Preferred Method of Contact: Caretaker 2

Call

Text

Email

Household 3: Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City AlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahU.S. Virgin IslandsVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific State ZIP Code

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Remove an Added Caretaker

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Name of Caretaker to Remove(Required)

First Last

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City AlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahU.S. Virgin IslandsVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific State ZIP Code

Briefly tell us why we're removing this Caretaker(Required)

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I'm Moving

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Name: New Resident or Owner 1(Required)

First Last

Phone: New Resident or Owner 1(Required)

Email: New Resident or Owner 1(Required)

Preferred Method of Contact: New Resident or Owner 1(Required)

Call

Text

Email

Mail

Name: New Resident or Owners 2

First Last

Phone: New Resident or Owner 2

Email: New Resident or Owner 2

Preferred Method of Contact: New Resident or Owner 2

Call

Text

Email

Mail

Additional Information(Required)

Please tell us if you've spoke to them about being a Caretaker, who we (Cats Anonymous, Inc) are and what concerns they expressed.

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Cat(s) have been Displaced

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Tell us what has happened to the cats(Required)

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Other

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What other updates do you have to share?(Required)

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Email

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Colony Spay Day and Caretaker Registration

"*" indicates required fields

Step 1 of 7

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Questionnaire

Have you ever registered cats with us before?*

Yes

No

Welcome back friend! To update us with changes to your colony and to register new cats, please visit our Caretaker Updates page. Thank you for all the great work you're doing!

Are the cats owned by anyone?*

Yes

No

Owned cats are ineligible

We understand the costs of veterinarian care can be quite high for many. Please refer to our Low Cost Vet Directory to locate a vet who may be able to help.

Do you hope to keep the cat(s) as pets or give them away?*

Yes

No

Owned cats are ineligible

We understand the costs of veterinarian care can be quite high for many. Please refer to our Low Cost Vet Directory to locate a vet who may be able to help.

Is there anything that will prevent you from ensuring the safety of the cat(s) both before and after their spay/neuter operation?*

Yes

No

Pre Op

Just like us humans, cats must not eat or drink for 10 hours before an operation.

Post Op

After their operation, the patient is unable to regulate their body temperature for several hours and must be kept in a climate controlled space and safe within the trap until they are strong enough to be released again. Usually a single night is enough time to keep them after an operation. In cases where the cat has nursing young 8 weeks and younger, the cat must be released immediately.

Keeping them under cover

While cats are in their traps, they must be kept covered to reduce their stress. This is for their mental and physical wellbeing as well as yours and our staff's.

See our Trapping Info page for more info.

Please understand during the hours prior and after an operation the cat(s) will need extra care and a safe, temperature regulated space to recover.See our Caretaker Resources and Articles page for further information.

Are you unwilling to ensure the safety of the cat(s) pre and post op or unable to?*

Unwilling

Unable

Trap Checkout*

The correct trap size, in good working order, is important to a safe and low-stress surgery day. We will lend you traps with covers for a fully refundable deposit. You'll be asked to check out the traps from our Green Bay office, then return them within 14 days after surgery.

Got it

Traps and Trapping Info

We will provide traps for you to use.

Do not use carriers. Do not use your own traps unless they have been pre-approved by our staff.

Using the appropriate cloth trap covers is vital to the safety and wellbeing of the cats and our staff.

See our Trapping Info page for more info.

Are there barriers you face to trap and transport the cat(s) to us or to bring them back to their home area?*

Yes

No

Transportation

For the safety and health of the cat(s) they must be transported to us in a covered live trap.

See our Resources and Articles page for more info.

What limitations inhibit your ability to trap and transport the cat(s)?*

So that we may best serve you, please check all that apply.

Age

Medical

Location

Financial

Other

Someone else will transport them

Limitations: Other*

Please tell us what your limitations are.

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Alternate Transport Contact

Who will be transporting the cat(s) for you?*

A friend or relative

I don't know

Alternate Transport Name*

First Last

Alternate Transport Phone*

Alternate Transport Email

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END - Alternate Transport Contact - END

Is it unsafe to return the cats to the habitat where they live or are there any neighbors who may be concerned about or opposed to our TNVR program or feral cats in general?*

Yes

No

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Cats

How many cats do you think there are?*

Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0.

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Registrant Contact

Your Name*

First Last

Your Email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

Your Phone*

Your Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State AlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahU.S. Virgin IslandsVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific ZIP Code

Where are the cats located?*

Above Address

Another Location

Cats are located at another location*

Please detail where the cats are located: include nearest address, any important landmarks, etc. This information is used to track populations we are serving.

Your preferred forms of contact with us:*

Check all that apply

Phone

Text

Email

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Additional Caretaker Contact

Will there be any other Caretakers?*

Yes

No

Possibly

Additional Caretaker 1: Name*

First Last

Additional Caretaker 1: Phone*

Additional Caretaker 1: Email

Additional Caretaker 1: Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State WisconsinAlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahU.S. Virgin IslandsVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific ZIP Code

Additional Caretaker 2: Name

First Last

Additional Caretaker 2: Phone

Additional Caretaker 2: Email

Additional Caretaker 2: Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State WisconsinAlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahU.S. Virgin IslandsVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific ZIP Code

Additional Caretaker 3: Name

First Last

Additional Caretaker 3: Phone

Additional Caretaker 3: Email

Additional Caretaker 3: Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State WisconsinAlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahU.S. Virgin IslandsVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific ZIP Code

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Confirmation and Agreements

CAPTCHA

What Does TNVR Cost?

We do not charge for the services we provide. However, our minimum cost for providing these services is $65 per cat.
All of our services are made possible through generous donations by people like you.

Become a Champion and Make a Donation to help feral cats in need have access to the support and services we offer.

Make a Donation?*

Donate Now

Donate Later

(Please do not forget to submit the registration form too, Thank you!)

Caretaker Agreement*

I certify all information I've provided is true and to the best of my knowledge all cats in the colony being registered are unowned cats and/or are barn cats. I agree to monitor the cat(s) and be their primary provider of food, water, shelter and will provide any veterinary care beyond the spay/neuter services provided by Cats Anonymous, Inc. I agree to notify Cats Anonymous. Inc. within 24 hours if I am unable to perform such duties for any reason.

I also understand that a representative from Cats Anonymous. Inc. may periodically call to ask permission to visit the colony to monitor status and conditions for statistical purposes and TNVR research data.

I Accept

Voucher Program*

Because you have only a few cats, our Voucher Vet Program may suit your needs. To learn about this option visit:
https://catsanonymous.org/vet-directory/voucher-vet-program/. Link opens in new window.

Thank You, I Understand.

Financial Considerations*

Because you stated you have financial constraints we want you to know we will do all we can to help. Will be in contact to discuss reserving traps and solutions for transporting the cats to our clinic.

Thank you, I Understand.

Trap Reservation and Transportation*

Because you stated you have limited ability to transport the cat(s) we want you to know we will do all we can to help. Will be in contact to discuss solutions for transporting the cats to our clinic.

Thank You, I Understand.

Comments

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