Ontario SPCA programs to help chilly feral kitties

With the cold weather we’ve been having, we wanted to give you a refresher on how the Ontario SPCA is supporting feral cat caretakers.

Feral Cat Support Programs offered at the Ontario SPCA

As a direct result of animals left unaltered, pet overpopulation is an issue across Ontario. This issue has resulted in staggering amounts of Feral cats. In the Greater Toronto Area alone, there are more than 100,000 homeless cats and kittens living on the streets. The Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) approach has been shown to be the only economically viable and truly humane approach to Feral cat population support.

To assist Feral cat caretakers in managing Feral cat colonies, the Ontario SPCA, has developed three innovative programs:

• Feral Cat Trap Depot Program where the Society loans cat traps to Feral cat caretakers at no charge, in an effort to Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) the stray cat population.
• Free Feral Food Bank providing a sustainable support of food to colony caretakers. Without the participation of the Ontario SPCA, the dedicated Feral cat colony caretakers use their own personal funds to provide food for these cats that have been abandoned by society.
• Feral Cat Shelters – a limited amount are made each fall by volunteers (or can be affordably made by anyone following the instructions below) for caretakers to provide a safe, warm place for their colonies during our cold, harsh winters.
  
  *Please note:  A participation certificate (TNR Workshop) will be required to be eligible to receive access to certain programs . Please inquire through Monica Seto.

For more information on how to get involved in managing community cats in your area or to sign up for the Feral Cat Workshop,“Trap-Neuter-Return: How to Manage a Feral Cat Colony”, please visit communitycats.ca.

Feral Cat Winter Shelter Resources:

How to Build a Feral Cat Shelter 101

DIY – Step by Step:  How to Build a Feral Cat Shelter

How to Build a Feral Cat Shelter – Video

Tips for Placing a Feral Cat Shelter

For more information on any of these programs, please contact:
Monica Seto
Manager, Shelter Health & Wellness
Phone: 1-888-668-7722 or 905-898-7122, Ext. 383