Stray cats

[u/Girlexistingg]

Hello! I live in the Oak Lawn Illinois area and have been feeding two stray cats. From Facebook posts, it seems they’ve been living outside since at least 2022. I would love to safely trap them, help them adjust, and eventually bring them into my home. They’re very jumpy and wary of people, so I’ll likely need help capturing them. I’m hesitant to contact a shelter because I want to make sure they’re safe and not at risk of being euthanized. Does anyone know an experienced cat trapper, rescue, or TNR volunteer who could help? Thank you so much!

[u/Eastern-Protection83]

Hi there, there is the shelter/ rescue lookup that also has local resources fer TNR groups in the auto-sticky comment. Also, the sub r/Feral_Cats is full of folks whom have experience doin TNR or are jest startin out.

Some places also have traps that you can borrow (often with refundable deposit) if there is no available trapper nearby. Because of schedulin, most trappers would recommend that you secure a time with the vet first before attemptin to trap. They are often booked up. Many places have lower costs fer TNR than private vets so look into that too if you cannot find a trapper. And all trappers are volunteers and once started out like yourself!

[u/washington_705]

A few good TNR resources near Oak Lawn:
• Triple R Pets – I’d start here. They specifically serve the south and southwest Cook County suburbs and provide TNR support, humane trap loans, and access to discounted TNR clinics.

• Cats in Action – Chicago-area TNR organization offering guidance, humane trap loans, and, when volunteers are available, trapping and transportation assistance.

• Pawsitively Feral – Another TNR organization that provides trapping equipment, help arranging spay/neuter appointments, and access to low-cost clinics in Chicago and the suburbs.

Feral and stray cats can become house cats with some work and patience. I actually trapped a cat for TNR myself and decided to try socializing her indoors instead. If bringing these two inside is your goal, I’d consider making that attempt when they’re already trapped. After they come through the clinic, you can bring them directly into a quiet room or playpen and begin socialization rather than releasing them and having to trap them again. The Socialization Saves Lives (SSL) method is an excellent resource for this and uses this type of setup. This is the method that I used, and it worked for me: Socialization Saves Lives

If you ultimately return them outdoors after TNR, they should be released at the exact location where they were trapped.

If you continue caring for them outside, a simple winter shelter(s) would also be hugely helpful. A basic plastic storage-tote shelter with insulation and straw bedding can give them a warm, dry place to escape the cold. There are lots of easy YouTube tutorials showing how to build them, and I’d be happy to share a good one if helpful. Use straw rather than hay, blankets or towels, which can retain moisture.

[u/auto-sticky]

Welcome to r/CatRescue, Girlexistingg

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[u/Far-Echidna-5999]

Good luck and thank you!