Video & Books Library

Videos

Cats in Action recommends the following videos on setting traps, cat trapping, project planning, nuisance prevention, socializing kittens and much more!

SETTING A FERAL CAT TRAP (runs 11:42) by Liz Houtz, Cats in Action

SETTING A FATCAT TRAP (runs 6:53) by Liz Houtz, Cats in Action

USING A TRAP DIVIDER (runs 3:46) by Liz Houtz, Cats in Action

WHAT IS TNR? (runs 1:10) A short, animated feature ideal for presentations to young people from Alley Cat Allies

HOW TO TRAP A FERAL CAT FOR TNR (runs 13:30) by “Kitten Lady” Hannah Shaw

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO TNR (runs 3:20) by Alley Cat Allies

HOW TO PERFORM A MASS TRAPPING (runs 31:43) by Brian Kortis, Neighborhood Cats

HELPING PEOPLE COEXIST WITH COMMUNITY CATS (runs 3:31) by Alley Cat Allies

ALL ABOUT THE VACUUM EFFECT (runs 3:19) by Alley Cat Allies

CHASIN’ TAIL (runs 1:13) short rap video with original music/words showing TNR in action by TrapKing Humane Solutions

WHY I SUPPORT KILL SHELTERS (runs 9:26) in defense of what are known in animal welfare as “open intake shelters” by “Kitten Lady” Hannah Shaw

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS SPEAK ABOUT TNR (runs 15:53) by BestFriends

HOW TO SOCIALIZE HISSY FERAL KITTENS  (runs 4:09), by “Kitten Lady” Hannah Shaw

SOCIALIZING A SPICY FERAL KITTEN (runs 10:28) by Flatbush Cats

HOW TO KEEP CATS OFF MY YARD AND OUT OF MY GARDEN (runs 3:23) by BestFriends

For additional videos, we recommend the following sources:

Books

Cats in Action recommends the following books related to TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), RTF (Return-To-Field), feral cat colony management, animal hoarding, socializing kittens and related topics. Look for the KIDS label for books for youth. NOTE: These books are not hyperlinked to any online bookstore as we encourage you to support your preferred brick and mortar or online bookshop.

Community Cats: A Journey into the World of Feral Cats
by Dr. Anne E. Beall

It all started when a rat ran over a family member’s foot and Dr. Anne E. Beall began a journey into the world of feral cats. Beall had experienced rat problems for a long time. Then a neighbor told her about a program where one could get feral cats that would take care of the rat problem. Beall narrates what she learned about the unique world of feral cats and about the people who are involved with feral cats and who advocate for them. Community Cats shares the story of what initially began as a creative solution to a rat problem and became a journey that led her to reach out to others in the feral cat world. Beall interviewed other colony caretakers and leaders in the TNR movement. She also conducted survey research on Americans attitudes toward stray cats, TNR programs, and spaying/neutering. Purchase

My Five Frisky Feline Friends
by Cynthia Jackson, illustrated by Adetoye Sode

Cynthia Jackson has a passion for animals which sparked from visiting her grandmother as a young girl. It amazed her to watch her grandmother look directly into her dogs eyes and talk to them. Cynthia shares that same love and connection with her own dogs along with her outdoor cats. The stories in this book originated from the summer of 2014 when the author started caring for abandoned and hungry cats in her Chicago south side neighborhood. ISBN: 9798589465068. Purchase.

Neighborhood Cats TNR Handbook Cover

Neighborhood Cats TNR Handbook: The Guide to Trap-Neuter-Return for the Feral Cat Caretaker

An A to Z guide of all things TNR for a colony caretaker, including trapping, feeding, winter shelter, neighbor relations, veterinary care and more specialized topics like trapping hard-to-catch cats, what to do with nursing mothers and kittens and caring for cats in traps. “The hands-on expertise of Neighborhood Cats’ staff, as well as the group’s involvement with caretakers around the world, makes this the most comprehensive and up-to-the-minute resource for educating caretakers on all aspects of colony management.” (Animal Sheltering magazine, Sept/Oct 2013.)

Free PDF Download
Managing Community Cats Cover

Managing Community Cats: A Guide for Municipal Leaders
by the Humane Society of the United States

Endorsed by the International City/County Management Association, this guide is designed for community officials and outlines humane and effective solutions for managing populations of community cats. Focused on what local leaders want and need to know, this guide offers an in-depth look at community cat management programs. It offers proactive approaches and collaborative efforts that local communities can use to humanely reduce the unowned cat population. The guide is intended to be used in its entirety as a comprehensive tool.

Free PDF Download
Return-to-Field Handbook

The Return to Field Handbook
a collaboration between the Humane Society of the United States, Neighborhood Cats and Alley Cat Advocates.

Return-to-Field, also known as RTF, SNR (Shelter-Neuter-Return) or Feral Freedom, is increasingly popular with shelters looking for alternatives to cat euthanasia. With RTF, healthy community cats are fixed, vaccinated and returned to their original locations. This handbook, co-authored by Susan Richmond and Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats, Karen Little of Alley Cat Advocates and Danielle Bays of the Humane Society of the United States, offers a practical how-to guide for implementing an RTF program. Everything is covered from gathering info from the person who brings a cat in, assessing eligibility for the program, staffing, where to house the cats, veterinary care, doing the return itself, and much more.

Free PDF Download
Community TNR Cover

Community TNR: Tactics and Tools
by Bryan Kortis

Bryan Kortis, co-founder and National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats, wrote this book after overseeing millions of dollars of grants for TNR programs on behalf of PetSmart Charities. “Kortis now offers a blueprint of how to most effectively use TNR and return-to-field programs to reduce cat overpopulation in the shelter and community.” (Animal Sheltering magazine, Sept/Oct 2014). In addition to Return to Field, the book covers targeted TNR and grassroots mobilization, offering case studies to illustrate the approaches. Winner of the Muse Medallion for Best in Category (Books – Other) in the Cat Writers Association’s 2014 annual contest.

Free PDF Download
Fairminded Fran and the Three Small Back Community Cats Book Cover

KIDS Fairminded Fran and the three small black Community Cats
by Linda Elder, illustrations by Kathy Abney, (Foundation for Critical Thinking)

This book speaks directly to children about feral cats, why they matter and how to help them. Written by Dr. Linda Elder, a noted educational psychologist. “Fairminded Fran is a wonderful book for all cat lovers. It is great for the classroom and at home. Not much has been written for kids about feral cats, making Fairminded Fran a one-of-a-kind book…. Children as young as second grade will understand this story when read to them. It will also spark some great conversations. Isn’t that what a good book should do?” (Kid Lit Reviews, March 12, 2013).

Trap King for a Day Book Cover

KIDS Marvin: Trap King for a Day
by Elysa Rubee (Author), Rachel Martin (Illustrator)

Marvin has the adventure of his life when he rescues a baby kitten from the creek at a neighborhood park and is crowned Trap King for a Day. Sterling “TrapKing” Davis is founder of the nonprofit organization TrapKing Humane Cat Solutions in Atlanta, Georgia, which uses Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) as a focal point to assist, educate, and service communities with feral cat colonies.

The Cats on My Block Book Cover

KIDS The Cats On My Block
by Valerie Sicignano (Author), Jane Sayre Denny  (Illustrator)

Through conversation among the story’s characters, readers of all ages gain insight into a basic misconception about feral cats. When Luke asks Willow if the cats are homeless, she replies, “No, the outdoors is their home.” The book features an introduction to the cats on Willow’s block with illustrations, names, and descriptions, allowing young readers to get to know them as more than nameless strangers. Willow introduces Luke to a neighbor, Keith, who cares for the cats through daily feeding and monitoring, and by providing shelters to offer protection against the elements. Keith explains how he carries out “trap-neuter-return” (TNR) in the neighborhood to have the cats spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and left-eartipped to identify them as having been “fixed,” and then returns them to their outdoor home.

Tiny But Mighty Book Cover

Tiny But Mighty: Kitten Lady’s Guide to Saving the Most Vulnerable Felines
by Hannah Shaw aka Kitty Lady

This New York Times bestselling book is the definitive resource on saving the most vulnerable feline population: newborn kittens. In Tiny but Mighty, Hannah not only outlines the dangers newborn kittens face and how she combats them, but how you can help every step of the way, from fighting feline overpopulation on the streets to fostering unweaned kittens, from finding a vet to finding the purrfect forever home. Filled with information on animal welfare, instructional guides, and personal rescue stories of kittens like Chloe, Tidbit, Hank, and Badger—not to mention hundreds of adorable kitten photos—Tiny but Mighty is for cat lovers, current-and-future rescuers, foster parents, activists, and advocates.