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Past Essays
In terms of the history, the founding members of Neighborhood Cats began implementing TNR on one large colony in the fall of 1999. For the next year, we focused on this colony alone, learning the hands-on basics of feral cat management and carefully documenting our progress so our work could stand in the future as a model. When it became clear TNR had succeeded in stabilizing the colony's population and improving the cats' quality of life, efforts were made to teach others the same techniques. Workshops were begun, assistance was provided to select caretakers who were judged competent and willing to take on the responsibilities of a managed colony, and larger organizations were approached for help in spreading the message and introducing programs. Later, as the movement expanded, a website, an email network and a local hot line for feral cat assistance were added. From the outset, Neighborhood Cats operated under the assumption that for TNR to succeed throughout NYC, it had to be a grassroots movement. In other words, no one group, no matter how large, would ever be able to TNR tens of thousands of cats quickly enough to have a major impact. TNR had to be built on the individual caretakers of the colonies, on the people who had direct contact with the cats on a daily basis. Only by educating and empowering them could TNR become widespread enough to start making a difference. Indeed, this is exactly what has developed. While the services offered by the many organizations now involved with TNR are crucial, it is the army of caretakers neutering their cats and learning how to care for them which has built such a strong foundation for continued success. The broad lessons to be drawn from Neighborhood Cats' experience in NYC, which can be applied to organizations seeking to implement TNR as a grassroots movement elsewhere, can be summarized as follows: Step 1: Create a strong model. Focus at the very outset on what you can handle and don't try to solve the whole problem at once. Build a model of how TNR works and then hold it up as an example to the rest of the community. Start with one colony, then one neighborhood, then one town, etc. As your work and success grow, others will join you in increasing numbers. Step 2: Create a new, unique TNR identity. At its essence, TNR is not about rescuing cats, it's about population control. It's not about getting a wonderful cat a great home, it's about lowering stray intake and euthanasia rates, reducing costs for animal control, creating better, less hostile environments for the cats, and so on. This is the language you'll need to speak and the work you'll need to focus on. Nothing will sink a new TNR group and movement faster than a household full of foster cats. Find partners to help with adoptables, but spend your organization's time and money on TNR. Step 3: Educate! Once you have a firm grasp on how TNR works, preferably from your own personal experience, start teaching others. Hold workshops and monthly meetings. Organize a local feral cat conference, make videos, set up a website, write brochures and flyers. Approach larger organizations with data from your own efforts and invite them to join you. Put aside past reputations and experiences and approach everyone with a fresh slate. TNR is an exciting opportunity for those who see its potential - don't shut out anyone who has the ability to help. Step 4: Perform high profile projects. When faced with choices, pick TNR projects which have high value in terms of publicity or impact. If you can get a good project into the media, your message will obviously spread faster. If you can do a project that will favorably influence decision makers or departments in local government, that too, will end up having a positive effect beyond the immediate colony aided. Step 5: Facilitate. Once interest in TNR begins to rise, find ways to help smooth the path for those following you. Set up a phone line for advice and an email network which will link caretakers and make it easier for them to help each other. Provide equipment, such as traps and dividers. Suggest new programs or improvements to older ones and try to coordinate services. In the end, following these steps may allow you to spark a movement with the ability to grow and continue on without you. For any activist, that marks true success. [This article is based on a lecture given by Executive Director Bryan Kortis at the Whole Cat Conference held at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Mass., on October 18, 2003] history | about | board | back to top |
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Today,
the situation is dramatically improved. Major feral cat programs
promoting TNR are now run by the ASPCA and the Humane Society of NY, with
NYC Animal Care & Control soon to join in as well. In addition to
Neighborhood Cats, NYC's first TNR group, other volunteer-based, local
non-profits devoted to TNR have also sprung up. Concentrated TNR efforts
on the Upper West Side of Manhattan resulted in a 73 percent drop in the
stray cat intake rate to city shelters from this neighborhood over 3 ½
years and TNR is widely recognized as a key element for achieving a true
no kill city. The question often asked is, how did we get from nowhere to
a strong movement in such a short time?