Course: Cat Colony Management

Why is there a stray cat problem

Where do the cats come from

Understanding the key factors facing stray cat health and population growth

Understanding cultural, religious, regional attitudes and government policies related to stray cats

Overview of Managed Cat Colonies and success stories

How Managed Cat Colonies serve so many problems

What is Cat Colony Management? Understanding your role

By the end of this module, you will have a deeper understanding of the bigger context to the cat population problem and the various factors that contribute towards the situation both negatively and positively.

This session is critical as it will empower you with the key narrative to help win any discussion or argument about the case for cat colonies in rising stray cat population locations in the MENA region

Recruiting core team

Identifying and assessing the existing stray cat situation

Gathering data and information, use of surveillance cameras, feeding, trackers, fact gathering from existing residents and workers

Mapping out the macro and micro situation. Threats and Opportunities

Creating plans and budgets for managing the colony

Preparing proposals to Property Management

How to present to Residents, Property Management / Owners, what to say and what not to say to improve chances for initial approval of a Managed Cat Colony

By the end of this module, you will know the exact approach and wording to use to improve your chances to get support and approval for a Managed Cat Colony.

You will have templates for proposals, documents and plans… You will also know techniques to quickly assess the stray cat population in a specific area.

Handling immediate challenges for cats and people involved

Establishing a cat colony feeding and care strategy and how to save money

Conducting a health assessment

Monitoring, Reporting and Escalation Processes

Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) and vaccinations, how to trap, what equipment to use

Understanding stray and abandoned cat behaviour

Learn the steps of human trapping and pre and post surgery spay / neuter care

Know the different ways to trap cats, the most effective equipment to use, trigger cameras, bait, handling gloves and in trap care

What to look for when choosing veterinary services and why it makes a difference

By the end of this module, you’re ready to get hands on dealing with the current stray cat situation in your area. You’ll know how to organise highly effective TNR programmes use equipment and the same methods that I’ve used to establish colonies for 2800 cats.

You won’t have to waste time trying to learn the hard way. This course packs 6 years and thousands of rescue hours into easy ‘How To’ guides

Nutrition, water and feeding, what works

Feeding stations, how to make them, what works

Proving shelter from adverse weather and protection where possible

Onsite and offsite medical care

Disease prevention and treatment

Ongoing TNR and vaccinations

Adopting and rehoming strategies

Managing conflict in the colony and behavioural assessment

Handling emergency crisis and different types of rescue

By the end of this module, you’ll know how to maintain a cat colony in a sustainable way, keep costs down, knowing how to set up feeding programmes and deal with health care and crisis.

Growing and managing a team

Managing community relations

Educating the community

Funding strategies

Avoiding and resolving conflict with community, authorities and pest control

Your emotional and physiological wellbeing

Medium to long term strategies, impact on environmental balance

What happens if I want to stop?

Impact on the region and animal welfare

By the end of this module, you’ll be more prepared to handle the on-going challenges facing the management of Cat Colonies and begin developing a longer term plan.