We are always looking for volunteers to assist with our monthly TNR days. Here are some ways you can help:
Trapping
Trappers are needed to go to colonies, set humane traps with bait, cover traps as soon as cats are trapped and transport them to our holding area to await surgery. Traps are always covered and traps are never left unattended.
Transporting
Volunteers with moderately large vehicles are needed to transport cats to clinics and back to the recuperation area. After recovery, cats need to be transported back to their colonies and released..oh happy day!
Veterinary Technicians
Clinics are held at least monthly and veterinary technicians are needed to assist our veterinarians with induction, surgical prep, surgery and recovery. Our ferals receive the same standard of care as any domestic, client-owned cat. We figure they have been through enough in their lives already and deserve the best medical care we can afford to give them!
Fundraising, Social Media, Newsletters
These are areas that need development and we would welcome your creativity and time.
Food Distribution
NCFF maintains a stock of cat food for colony caregivers in need. Volunteers are needed to see that the food is distributed on a timely basis, Those volunteers willing to beg for food from suppliers will be given preference!
Foster Homes
Foster homes are often needed for undersocialized kittens and strays awaiting adoption homes. All fosters go through our partners, the Fort Collins Cat Rescue and Duncan’s Place. This is a very rewarding job!
Relocating Feral Cats to Barn Homes
For Feral Cats Needing Homes
Northern Colorado Friends of Ferals only relocates feral cats when there is no other choice and the cats are either no longer being fed or in danger of being rounded up by animal control groups and killed. Feral cats are attached to their territories and those who are feeding them. What looks like an unpleasant living place to us is what the cats call home. They are at home in alleys, junkyards, vacant lots and urban areas. Relocating is extremely stressful and there are no guarantees that the cats will be safer or happier or even survive in a new location. It is difficult for us to find barn homes as there are more cats in need than there are barn homes to accommodate them.
For Barn Homes Needing Feral Cats
Feral cats often provide a valuable service in keeping down the rodent population. If you feel you can provide a home in return for mousers, please contact Ellen Nelson at Ellen@barncatservices.com or 970-218-8520.
We do not charge for the feral cats we place in barn homes, we do however require that you feed them regularly. It helps them to be better hunters, and keeps them at home on your property. If you decide that you can provide a barn home for two or more feral cats we ask the following:
1) That you adopt at least 2 (at the same time from the same colony), so that not everything in their world is totally new and scary.
2) That you keep them contained somehow in a feed room, or tack room for 3 weeks or more until they get used to the routine around your place, the comings and goings, the noises and the other animals that may be present. During this time they will begin to associate you with good things, such as food. After a few weeks, they may decide that this is their new home and stick around instead of just fleeing in panic when you let them out. It is normal for them to hide in the barn for a while until they learn to trust their new caretaker.
3) That you continue to feed them regularly and provide medical care in emergencies
We are also in need of contributions in order to meet our 2011 goal of helping another 650-750 cats (Surprise, surprise!) Because we are an all volunteer organization, all donations go to pay for medical supplies and vaccines.
Give cats like this one a chance at life.
What Your Contribution Can Do
One day’s cost for our mobile unit: $150
Surgical supplies for one spay: $30
One week of cat food for a colony: $15
Helping kitties in need: priceless!
To donate by mail, please send to:
Northern Colorado Friends of Ferals
718 Mathews St.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
