Care Tips
Once you've conducted TNR and built a shelter and a feeding station, you're ready to let the community cat(s) settle in. Listed below are some suggestions for long-term care of community cats.
Food and Water
- Always feed the cats around the same time.
- If possible, feed the cats twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening.
- If possible, feed before dusk; there is less of a chance of attracting raccoons that way.
- On that note, if possible, clear any food the cats don't eat; ants love cat food, too.
- It isn't always possible to feed your community cats high-quality food. That's okay. The cats will be happy with kibble; they'll be waiting for you every time.
- Plastic ice cream or vegetable spread lids make great community cat food dishes.
- Stainless steel bowls work well for water.
- Make sure the cats get fresh water every day, even in the winter. If water in the water bowls freezes during the winter, warm the bowls under hot water until the ice pops out, and then fill the bowls with warm water at the same time you feed the cats. In the summer, throw a few ice cubes in the water bowls during hot days.
- Raccoons like to wash their paws in community cat water bowls. Be sure to clean any bowls or dishes well and often. Dish liquid works fine.
Healthcare
- Provide food and clean water to the cats daily.
- Find a vet who works with feral cats.
- Have a plan in place to trap any feral cats if they become ill.
- One of the unfortunate truths that few people talk about is that you might have to deal with a community cat getting hit and killed by a vehicle. Have a plan in case this happens.
- Keep the shelters and the surrounding area clean.
Shelter Care
- Clean straw out of the shelters every year when the weather gets warm, generally mid-April. Never reuse straw; dispose of it.
- Once you remove the straw when the weather starts getting warm, clean the inside of the smaller bin with paper towels and cleaner that doesn't have a strong smell. Wipe down the outside of the large bin as well.
- Put fresh straw in every year when it starts getting cold, generally mid-October.
- If any of the bins becomes damaged, replace it immediately. It's a good idea to grab extra bins any time you see them for a decent price.
- Clean any feeding stations at least twice a year. It's as easy as scrubbing them with dish liquid and a dish sponge.
Feeding Station Care
- If you made the large shelter/feeding area shown on the Feeding Stations page, it's okay to remove the plastic sheeting once the weather gets warm. You might be able to use the same sheeting next year if you remove it carefully and if it isn't too dirty. However, it isn't recommended to use the sheeting more than twice.
- Spray down the plastic panel at least twice a year—once when you remove the straw from and clean the shelters when the weather gets warm, and once before you put the straw in for the winter. It is recommended to also scrub the panel with dish liquid.
- If any of the wooden pallets become structurally unsound, replace them.
