The Philadelphia Community Cats Council
 
Guidelines for TRNM

Philadelphia Community Cats Council complies with local city, county. and state laws pertaining to cats.

The Philadelphia Community Cats Council requires the following guidelines for the practice of TRNM and colony management, taking considerations of economy, safety and the cats' well-being into account: 
  1. Cats MUST be sterilized, vaccinated, and identified by a left ear-tip (no notches!)
  2. Cats MUST have a dedicated caretaker committed to long-term care, providing food, water, and shelter DAILY as well as medical monitoring of the colony.
  3. New cats should be trapped, assessed, and sterilized. 
These are strict requirements as cats are protected under the PA Animal Cruelty Statute.  To release any cat without a caretaker constitutes abandonment and a violation of the Statute.  All cats must have a current rabies vaccination as required by Philadelphia ordinance.
(a) Post-surgery recovery time
The recommended minimum post-surgery recovery time is 48-72 hours for males and females.  Only if circumstances require, 24 hours is acceptable for males, but 48 hours is preferred.  Pregnant cats near term should be recovered a minimum of 5-7 days.  All cats should be checked prior to release to make sure they are alert and that there are no medical conditions requiring further veterinary treatment, such as severe upper respiratory infection, bleeding or excessive lethargy.

 (b) Holding/recovery space
The space in which the cats are held during the trapping and for post-surgery recovery should be warm, dry and secure. "Warm" meaning at least 70 degrees (especially post-surgery when the cats' body temperatures may be lower than normal), "dry" meaning protected from the elements, and "secure" meaning the cats are not accessible to other animals or anyone not associated with the project.

 (c) FIV/FeLV testing
FIV/FeLV testing is recommended but not required. Test results would be useful in diagnosing the condition of a symptomatic cat, when other cats in a colony have tested positive, or when a cat is being considered for adoption.

 (d) Vaccinations
Rabies vaccination is required to be administered in accordance with Philadelphia
ordinance.  It is also recommended that other vaccinations, including FVRCP, not be administered because of cost, inability to followup with necessary boosters, and stress on the immune system from multiple vaccinations being administered at the time of neutering.

(e) Eartipping
Returned cats must be LEFT eartipped (not notched) in accordance with the universal symbol of a neutered feral cat - 1/4 inch off the tip of the left ear in a straight line cut.

 (f) Long-term colony care
Cats and their colonies who are TRNM'd must be provided with long-term care, including the provision of adequate food and shelter, veterinary care as required, and consistent monitoring by a designated caretaker.
© 2008 The Philadelphia Community Cats Council