Field Rescue of Animals in Need
How to know if a socialized animal may need help:
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Abandonment, abuse, or neglect is noticed or the animal is found in an unsafe location.
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The animal has a poorly-groomed appearance and/or is outside without proper food, water, or shelter.
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The animal has a microchip, collar with no tag, and is outdoors alone.
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The animal is deaf, blind, or injured, and is alone outside. Also, if the cat is declawed and outside.
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The animal is crying for attention or is a motherless young animal.
Potential animal behavior to expect from an abandoned or lost socialized stray:
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May approach humans for touch but still display some level of caution.
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Socialized animals generally present with forward whiskers (cats), tail up, and ears forward/up.
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Vocalizations; most socialized animals will express themselves.
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Health issues: fleas, ear mites, worms, or diarrhea.
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Aggression from pain: animal attack wounds, broken bones from car collision, or illness.
What to do:
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Do not grab or handle the animal at first; extend a fist for scent sniffing before attempting to touch the animal.
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Take precautions: use bite-deflecting, heavy duty gloves or cut sleeves.
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Provide food, fresh water, a litter box (cat), and comfortable shelter in a safe space.
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Contact local animal control, local vets for referrals, and local rescues.
Want to help a cat in your neighborhood or community?
You have an unsocialized community cat in your yard; now what?
If you (or anyone else) brings the cat it to a shelter, it will be very unfortunately euthanized because it is not an adoptable cat.
So, the cat needs to be live trapped and TNR'd (TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN). This means that a field rescuer would come to your area, talks with you, and assists with live trapping the cat. Once the cat is trapped, it will be brought to a facility that spay/neuters and vaxxes the cat. After a brief recovery, cat is released back into your area to live out its life without reproducing.
First, post on this Facebook page for assistance with live trapping in your area. Mention your city and cross streets, and ask trappers to Message you, for privacy. Hero's Heart does not yet have a formal live trapping program, due to having a lack of experienced trapping volunteers, but can possibly assist. So, you will need to ask the trapping community for help. They will instruct on how to help (allowing trappers on your property to set and bait a trap with chicken etc. monitoring the trap and then getting the trapped cat to TNR surgery.) https://www.facebook.com/groups/mncommunitycatsinneedofrelocation
Important note; we are all unpaid volunteers, and TNR is not free, so if you can make a donation to the trapper for the costs for TNR, that would be wonderful.
There are no places for outdoor feral cats to go except back to their familiar territory; that is where they live, no different than a squirrel or a rabbit. Please help the TNR'd cat by providing fresh dry food and clean water. In the cold months, we would suggest providing an outdoor winter shelter for the cat, as well as a heated water bowl. These shelters can be constructed out of old coolers (https://www.herosheartrescue.org/community-cats) or purchased. Examples for purchase are here:
With all of us working together, we can create safe and comfortable spaces for both indoor and outdoor cats to thrive.
Humane animal live trapping tips:
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First, learn how to set a Havahart (or similar) trap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsPj6xvAfjs
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For cats: trap in the evening, starting at dusk when they are most active.
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Cover the back half with a lightweight tarp (rain) or old bedsheet (sun) for protection from weather elements.
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Bait the live trap with rotisserie chicken in a dish. Use Silvervine powder leading into the trap (for cats.)
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Check the trap at least every hour; every 15 minutes in cold, hot, or inclement weather.
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Use a squeeze bottle to put water into the food dish once the animal is trapped and transported to a safe location.
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Place an old towel or wee pad under the trap to catch scat and urine.
Do NOT live trap unless these resources are already in place:
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A secured intake appointment with a rescue or shelter.
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A safe, comfortable place for temp holding the animal.
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The ability to monitor the live trap personally or with a camera feed.
Just for cats:
Kittens under 5 weeks old cannot go for long periods of time without nursing. With a trapped female cat, look under the trap for signs of lactation; if observed, return her immediately to the general area. Re-trap in a 6-8 weeks when kittens are weaned.
First, do no harm. Ask your local humane society or rescue for help.