While we know that trap/neuter/return (TNR) is the most effective, humane and economical way to handle an overpopulation of community cats, it still needs to be sold to local government officials who have either not heard of the method or still need reassurance that it’s the right thing to do for their town.

That’s why Best Friends has created a toolkit with a PowerPoint presentation called “Community Cats,” which anyone can use when going before a city council or any other local body of government to argue on behalf of TNR and convince local leaders that a TNR plan is worth implementing.

“Best Friends’ cat initiatives wanted to create a tool to help cat advocates navigate through the process of getting city support,” says Shelly Kotter, manager of Best Friends’ cat initiatives. “I get dozens of requests a week for this type of help.”

The presentation helps advocates lead an audience through the basics of TNR — what it is, how it works, why it’s effective and why lethal control does not work. The PowerPoint presentation allows for customization. You can include your name, your credentials, a photo of yourself, your organization and so on.

To hammer home the advantages of TNR, the PowerPoint presentation features some success stories from Jacksonville, Florida; Salt Lake City, Utah; and other cities that have saved lives and money by switching to TNR.

The Community Cat toolkit also includes a Q&A sheet, with answers to a myriad of questions, including: What are the primary benefits of TNR? What happens if you trap an owned pet cat? Why is TNR preferable to lethal control? And what is the actual cost savings of TNR over traditional trap-and-kill methods of animal control?

“With TNR becoming widely known as the most effective solution to the cat overpopulation in communities all over the country, cat advocates are looking to take it to the next level — local government support,” Shelly says. “I am confident more and more communities will become community cat–friendly because of this toolkit.”

To download the PowerPoint presentation, click here.

To download the Q&A, click here.

To download the checklist to complete prior to approaching your local government officials, click here.

Photo by Best Friends staff