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Starting A Community Cat Program

Are you new to trap, neuter, return programs? Learn from Missy Kelly how to begin a successful community cat program. Start by researching, meeting with animal control, shelters, understanding local laws, and choosing a program type. Formalize your organization, set protocols, build partnerships, recruit volunteers, and fundraise creatively. Educate, support, advocate, and monitor the program's impact. Evaluate effectiveness regularly. Be empowered to make a difference for community cats!

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Starting A Community Cat Program

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  1. Starting A Community Cat Program Presented by Missy Kelly

  2. Getting started If you are new to trap, neuter, return programs do your research.

  3. Talk to the professionals • Meet with your local animal control organizations about the number of annual stray cat complaints and calls they receive. • Speak to your local animal shelter and collect data regarding the number of intakes, adoptions, and euthanasia and prepare to keep track of those numbers. • Find out what resources are currently in place for cats if any.

  4. Talk to your caretakers!

  5. Know your local ordinances and state laws and be prepared to request changes to the current ordinances. Many ordinances do not allow for free-roaming cats. Those may need to be revised to support your caretakers and your program mission.

  6. Deciding On a Program Type Is an existing organization interested in aligning themselves with a TRN Program or implementing a new program? Shelter/Animal Control-TNR Partner Veterinarian Clinic Partner Individual TNR Program

  7. Getting down to business Apply to become a legal corporation • Recruit and appoint a board of directors and draft your by-laws. • Fill out and submit the necessary paperwork with the State to become a legal corporation. Apply for your not-for-profit status • Fill out and submit the necessary paperwork to become a 501(c)3. • Allows you to apply for grant funding and collect tax-deductible donations. • Allows you to sign up for fundraising programs for supplies and money through other businesses.

  8. Draft Protocols • Trapping and transporting assistance • Financial assistance • Medical care • Foster care and adoption programs • Volunteer programs • Community outreach and involvement • How you plan to keep track of your program data Decide what you can and cannot do and don’t be afraid to change protocols as your program evolves!

  9. Partnerships • Contact veterinarian clinics and find out who is willing to work with your organization to spay or neuter and provide medical care for your cats. • Form partnerships with cat rescues in place that may be willing to assist you with adoptable kittens or friendly adults.

  10. Recruit volunteers • Hold volunteer orientations to help recruit volunteers and explain their roles clearly. • Recruit colony caretakers to help with future volunteer projects. • Support your volunteers and make sure they have the emotional and physical support they need. Volunteer opportunities include: • Foster Homes • Trappers • Transporters • Answering phones, emails, social media • Community Outreach • Fundraisers

  11. Networking

  12. Fundraising Without a 501(c)3 • Turn in scrap metal • Garage and Bake Sales • Ask your community for support and donations Get creative! With a 501(c)3 • Seek out and apply for grant funding • Kroger Community Rewards • Amazon Smile • Seek out corporate sponsors • Dine-in community fundraisers • Donation jars

  13. Start collecting your tools

  14. Educate, Support, and Advocate Continuously educating not only yourself but the members in your community is critical. Support your caretakers and their efforts. Advocate for the cats and your program. Be prepared for negative and positive feedback from the community.

  15. Ready Set Trap

  16. Re-evaluate Is this working? Are colony sizes decreasing? Are shelter statistics improving?

  17. TNR Works

  18. I said "Somebody should do something about that." Then I realized I am somebody.” ― Lily Tomlin

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