Cat Whisperer

last wednesday, three cats in three different parts of crown heights came up to me meowing and nuzzling me. i attempted my best to rescue one of them, feeding it and sitting with it as it curled up with me. my roommate came by with a kennel to bring it in (people said the cat had started showing up three weeks ago and random people were feeding it) but it FREAKED OUT about the kennel. i felt horrible leaving it out in the cold but there was no way it was going to happen. haven't seen the other two cats now.

are there TNR efforts around Brooklyn or Kingston Avenue on the north side? I see so many kittens....

Maybe Neighborhood Cats (www.neighborhoodcats.org - (212) 662-5761) could answer your questions. They're up on efforts to help ferals all over the city and would probably know if anyone is actively doing TNR in your area. Good luck to you!

Great thank you.

I second the suggestion of contacting Neighborhood Cats. And if you take their workshop on trap-neuter-return, you will be able to access a number of resources, such as a listserve that puts you in touch with the larger NYC community of folks who are active in TNR.

I had a baby recently so unfortunately I don't have a lot of time anymore for cat rescue and TNR, but I may be able to give you a hand getting rescues into carriers. Feel free to contact me about that, or with other questions you may have.

I left a message with NeighborhoodCats. I don't have the capacity to do TNR myself but I spoke to the Empty Cages collectives regarding preparing for TNR in my old neighborhood.

"Small Chance" hasn't shown up in a while in our courtyard and I haven't had a chance to check on the other two cats that turned up in my neighborhood though one that I tried to rescue despite being very affectionate made it VERY clear he was NOT getting in the kennel. What else can I do?

brooklynleather wrote: one that I tried to rescue despite being very affectionate made it VERY clear he was NOT getting in the kennel. What else can I do?

If you've exhausted the possibilities (eg, scruffing him, or putting food in the carrier to lure him in) then he would probably have to be trapped, much the same as you would a feral cat.

(And of course always use common sense and do not try to pick up a cat if you are at all concerned about being bitten or scratched.)

yeah we tried scruffing and takings lots of time, having him sit in my lap near the carrier, etc. He just got really upset and would hiss and run.