Transcript Slide 1
Starting From Scratch – Dealing With Feral Cats Ian MacFarlaine VN ANIMAL WELFARE OFFICER, TRAFFORD COUNCIL (UK) [email protected] About Me I have worked in Animal Welfare in the UK for 18 years in various roles and with charities / NGOs and now in municipal government as an Animal Health & Welfare Officer in the UK. In my spare time I am the coordinator of PAW UK, organising Trap-NeuterRelease projects for feral cats in Europe, in two weeks I depart for my 30th trip. I also act as advisor to several UK charities about feral cats. Business Pleasure Feral Cats ” Feral Cats •Not comfortable around humans •Cannot be touched, handled, restrained etc •Not happy in captivity •Prefer to feed ad-libitum than attach to feeder •Contribute to growth of the cat population when not neutered Negative consequences of feral cat overpopulation •Predation or disease risk to wildlife (higher in unneutered populations) •Civic Image (negative view by tourists) •Public Health problems and issues of nuisance •Risk to pet animals •Mess from feeding •Abandonment of pets in cat colonies Positive consequences of feral cat populations •They control rats, mice etc •If a city or NGO carries out good humane control this is a positive image •Therapeutic benefits to people •“Guarding” of territory by neutered cats Why deal with Feral Cats? •The problem is human mediated •No attempt to manage the domestic cat population can succeed without addressing the issue of ferals •They are the same species as our own pets and therefore subject to the same rights •They represent a key vector in the transmission of rabies Options for dealing with Feral Cats •Simply just treat injured feral cats when they are found •Just catch and rehome feral kittens as they are encountered •Remove / eradicate all the cats from area •Very basic neutering here and there “Dripping Tap” •Targeted ongoing local neutering campaigns using local vets •Short duration neuter campaigns •GOVERNMENT OR CHARITY? Companion options to Humane Control •Control and reduce feeding •Control rubbish bins and prevent other casual waste points (introduce wheelies with positive closing lids) •Establish control points (“cat cafes”) •Educate •Get co-operation and compliance Important considerations •Publicity before & after •Timing) •Good Staff and volunteers •Posters at sites informing owners of pet cats •Be realistic about possible disappointments •Keep everyone informed – even the sceptics. •Keep accurate records •Set a timescale for next step Example project Gibraltar June 2004 – September 2006 Dramatis personae…. ° The Kismet Account (now Portugal Animal Welfare UK) (UK NGO) ° Cat Welfare Society of Gibraltar (GIB NGO) ° Gibraltar SPCA (GIB NGO) ° Ministry Of Defence (UK Government) ° Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic (Private vet) ° Government of Gibraltar ° Worldwide Veterinary Service (UK NGO) About Gibraltar (in case you didn’t know) •British overseas territory •Autonomous Government •6.5 km² (2.5 sq miles) •Southern tip of Spain, separated by wire fence •Average summer daytime temperature 26 Celsius •Human population 27,921 •Feral cat population approximately 1100 •% Neutered: 2004: 9% ---- 2006:85% Before •Gibraltar’s feral cat population was c.1100 (CWS census, April 2004) • c. 90 cats already through TNR • Limited capacity at the vet clinic plus the cost were limiting factors • The overcrowded cat sanctuary was under strain & overloaded volunteers stressed & broke! During •The local NGOs joined forces to bring in visiting volunteers from the UK •Trapping done by local NGO volunteers under my tuition •The large scale projects take place 2 or 3 times a year and last for 6 days •The remainder of the year the local NGOs work within their limits to continue the work using the local vets Spaying results •June 2004 167 cats neutered •September 2004 212 cats neutered •May 2005 170 cats neutered •September 2005 151 cats neutered •April 2006 36 cats neutered (one day!) •September 2006 – 136 cats neutered •June 2004 – September 2006 further 107 cats neutered by local vet TOTAL: 979 cats in 2.25 years Approximate cost of 8.17€ per cat Charity results •Fundraising side of NGOs improved •Media Profile of NGOs improved •NGO Volunteer numbers ^300% •Volunteer morale improved >>>>>>>>>>>>> •Annual CWS income up by 800% •Improved relationship NGO:government •Fundraising helped to renovate the cat shelter •GSPCA able to employ Inspector for the first time •Overall calls to shelter re: admissions dropped by 64% •Reports about stray kittens dropped by 85% Not much longer now, I promise! When do we need to catch feral cats? •Neutering •Re-homing or relocation •Treatment •Euthanasia •Within a sanctuary/shelter where they are being kept Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) Aims when trapping…. •To each cat through the neutering programme as fast as possible. •Neuter all the colony quickly •Trap as many as possible each session •Trapimportant cats (pregnant, nervous & female cats) first •Leave males & “easy” cats till last (less likely to be cage shy) •Avoid catching previously neutered cats •Ear Tip every neutered cat Rehoming or Relocation (last resort) Reasons for trapping •Capture certain socialised cats / kittens chosen for rehoming •Relocation of certain cats in the colony, either because they are a nuisance, reducing numbers urgently, or the vulnerable •Need to move the whole colony for their safety •Try and relocate as much of the colony simultaneously as you can (more likely to settle) •No arbitrary period – but the confinement at the new site needed is likely to be much longer than “2 weeks” Trapping for Treatment & PTS Aims and welfare issues •Treat certain sick/injured cats. •Avoid long confinement of feral cats •For welfare reasons, aim to treat only things that can be dealt with by quickly •Perform as much treatment in each capture •Cat flu rarely needs treatment/intervention. •Do not handle cats directly ! •Always sedate prior to Euthanasia Handling feral cats in a shelter •Allow a “chill” period between entry and intake. •Do all the procedures in one go, (sedate cats for thorough exam if needed) Use barrier nursing & infection control •Don’t house in sound/smell of dogs •Talking to true ferals has the opposite effect of talking to pets •Take precautions (tie cages) to prevent escapes IS IT FAIR TO KEEP IT IN A CAGE?? So how do we do it? Methods of capture… •Hand capturing socialised cats •Drop cages •“Intelligent trapping” •Trap-shyness •Trapping kit •Confinement by caregiver prior to capture •Manual Traps •Automatic Traps DOPING FOOD AND DARTING ARE NOT SAFE METHODS TO USE – NEITHER IS THE USE OF NETS Hand capturing socialised cats •It can be done, but be very careful •Only experienced handlers should do it •If “scruffing”, you only have a couple of seconds to get the cat into a cage, so have cage open, and ready and nearby and the prong handy! •Adult male cats & kittens are hard to scruff! Drop cages •The drop cage has a removable floor so it can be lowered onto a cat that is willing to approach a feeder •The floor is replaced, catching the cat •Best to wait while the cat feeds near you for a while rather than attempt the drop straight away. •Always ensure that, once you drop the cage, the floor will be in reach! Intelligent Trapping •Plan ahead so you have all equipment •Work with feeders – trap at the right time •Withhold food for 24-36 hrs •Advise local landowners, pet owners & residents •Ensure access •Target the significant cats first •Reduce stress during trapping •Have enough cages, traps and surgical capacity to get all the cats in one or two sessions •There may be more cats there than you think •Be careful when transferring •Always cover cages and traps YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE ! Trap-Shyness •Trap-shyness is the reluctance of an animal to enter a cage trap (not unique to cats). •Reasons – - cats won’t enter a foreign object - cats don’t like the particular trap - cats have seen previous traps before •Most trap shyness is caused by poor previous trapping •It is largely avoidable if a bit of thought is given. •Usually starts after the fourth cat Prevention & Solutions •Pre bait / acclimatise before trapping •Remove trapped cats quickly once caught •Manual trap 2+ cats to reduce number of “events” and number of “own goals”. •Change bait •Camouflage the traps •Make sure traps are clean and do not smell of debris or chemicals •Use a drop trap •Cover traps and cages once cats caught Automatic traps •Often loud •Only catch one cat •May catch neutered cats or wildlife •Usually catch cats in the wrong order •Often not activated as pedal doesn’t trigger •Hazard if left on site with cats panicking •Use with truly wild ferals that won’t approach a manual trap, or for the last one or two cats in a colony while the others are at the clinic. Patience is a virtue… Get used to waiting!! Manual Traps •You can control which cats you trap and thus prioritise. •Pedal activation not needed •More than one cat can be caught (if they will enter the trap together, they are safe to transport together) thus reducing number of traumatic events •No “Boomerangs”! •Removed from site quickly Drop trap Transfer cages •Cats are transferred into smaller boxes without handling, and the trap can be reused. •They may have a squeeze panel •Always prop cage against a wall / object to steady them (unlike the photo!) •Covering the cage or trap will help (unlike the photo!) •Don’t put anything (newspaper etc) in (unlike the photo!) Trapping Kit Torch Cage Labels Wet Wipes Bait Masking tape to attach labels String & Nails for manual trap Plastic Cable ties Pen Notebook Paper towel Maps Phone Cage covers Binoculars Scissors Other solutions •Work with cat feeders •Get good quality information about cats and trap at the right time •Don’t over-celebrate each time you get a cat! •There may be more cats there than you think •Be careful when transferring •Always cover cages and traps YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE Acknowledgements Photographs: Ian MacFarlaine; Debbie Howe, Meredith Weiss, Lauren Williams, Anita Ghafoor, Alley Cat Allies, www.neighbourhoodcats.com, This powerpoint online at www.pawuk.org.uk (see ADCH) Next step Like I said earlier - contact your NGOs and see what you can come up with, together More detailed slides and information on some of the areas covered today are available - please contact me (limited number on disc) I am always happy to assist and advise if I can Come and speak to me afterwards if I can help or advise; or email me at [email protected] Tänan Photographs: Ian MacFarlaine; Debbie Howe, Meredith Weiss, Lauren Williams, Anita Ghafoor, Alley Cat Allies, www.neighbourhoodcats.com,