Fresno T.N.R Mews Letter
Sneak Peek

Let’s Get Trapping! Join Our Efforts Today.

By Nan Wright

Kitten season is just around the corner again. Do you have feral or community cats in your neighborhood who need to be spayed and neutered? Now is the time to plan to get them all fixed.

Sometimes people are intimidated by the idea of trapping or don’t know what to do. It’s understandable! But hesitation will lead to unwanted litters of kittens, which in turn leads to sick kittens, suffering cats and kittens, and uncontrolled reproduction. Fresno T.N.R. is your feral and community cat assistant! Let us empower you to help!

Remember: Making a plan with a Fresno T.N.R. admin is the first step. Never set traps unless you have made a plan with an admin for dropping off a cat or cats for surgery.

Pricing is $30 for feral cats. They’re ear tipped and vaccinated at the time of surgery.

Don’t let cost stand in your way though! Once your cats are dropped off at the facility, you can post to our Facebook page to ask for sponsors. Fresno T.N.R. has many generous followers who step up to cover surgeries. Everyone works together so that all cats can get this critical care.

TNR planning

Fresno T.N.R. doesn’t have set appointment times and is not a walk-in facility. But it’s easy to get trapping started by posting a request for help on our Facebook page or reaching out to an admin to make a plan for when cats can be dropped off for surgery.

When you post:

Make a new post to describe your situation. Don’t “piggyback” by commenting on someone else’s post.
Say what kind of help you need: for example, help with trapping, borrowing of traps, transporting cats.
Include your major cross-streets only, not your exact location.

When you message an admin:

Find admins on the Fresno T.N.R. Facebook page by navigating to the “About” page and selecting “Members.”
Message only one admin at a time.
Wait 24 hours for a response before messaging a different admin.

Traps

Successful TNR starts with traps that are in good condition and working properly. Fresno T.N.R. can loan you good-quality traps to get started.

Looking to buy your own?

Do visit the Fresno T.N.R. facility during business hours to purchase reasonably priced traps.
Do not purchase cheap traps from any source in person or online. We recommend the traps from Tractor Supply as a decent budget option.
Do not purchase collapsible traps.

Trap training

One way to improve your odds of catching feral cats is to use a technique called trap training. With trap training, you get feral cats accustomed to a trap, lessening their fear of the unfamiliar so that they are more likely to go into a trap when it’s time to catch them.

This technique is usually best suited for trapping feral cats that visit a private residence where traps can be deployed without risk of theft or misuse. Never leave traps unattended if doing so poses a risk of equipment loss or harm to cats.

Ready to try trap training? Follow these steps:

Set out the trap or traps where the cats are fed.
Use zip ties to secure the front door of the trap in the open position. Do not set the trap for capture.
Begin feeding cats at the opening of the trap. If possible, make this the only food source available.
As days pass, place the food further into the trap until you’re placing it all the way in, past the trip plate.
Observe to make sure cats are entering the trap to eat.
When you have made a plan with Fresno T.N.R. to drop off trapped cats, remove the zip ties and set and bait the trap for capture.

Other tips

Set traps on a level surface to avoid accidental closure or trap movement that can discourage cats from going inside.
Cover trapped cats with a towel or light sheet depending on weather conditions. Covering helps calm them.
Before moving a trapped cat, use a zip tie to secure the front door of the trap. If the trap has a back door, secure it as well. Panicked cats can push hard on the doors of a trap. Zip ties reinforce the door closure mechanism and prevent escapes.
When baiting traps, place food on a paper plate, a paper towel, or a piece of sturdy paper. Don’t use bowls, and don’t put whole cans of food in the trap. Panicking cats can injure themselves on hard objects or cut themselves on cans.

Watch our upcoming newsletters for other trapping and care tips for feral cats.

Please join our efforts to fix feral cats in Fresno and surrounding areas today! You can always reach out with questions or come in person to the Fresno T.N.R. facility to chat with an admin or other volunteer about a specific cat or colony situation.

Together, we can save lives and spare suffering through trap, neuter, and return.

Trapping

Moose: The Extraordinary Feline Who Left Paw Prints on Our Hearts

By: Kimberly Holquinn

In a world where countless animals face neglect and hardship, sometimes the most unexpected heroes come in the form of a scrappy, lovable cat with a bit of a rough start. Moose, a cat with an unassuming yet unforgettable personality, lived a life that wasn’t defined by his skin issues or difficult past but by the love and laughter he gave to everyone around him. His story is a powerful reminder of how small acts of kindness can change the course of an animal’s life and create lasting memories for those who care for them.

From Forgotten to Loved

Moose’s journey began under the shadow of neglect. A lady, walking her dog, spotted him hiding under a car, his eyes crusted shut from untreated infections. Despite being so clearly in need of help, Moose had no voice to call for assistance—he could only hope someone would notice him.

That’s where the story of a small but mighty group of people comes in.

Kim Daniels notified Fresno T.N.R about Moose, urging others to help the struggling cat. Brandi, a passionate advocate for animals, reached out and offered to take Moose in. But there was one problem—there was no way to transport him. That’s when the real magic happened.

A quick message sent to Brandi from a compassionate volunteer, Cindy Curry, turned into a rescue mission. Despite being miles away, this volunteer took the time to go and pick Moose up. When she arrived, she was met by the lady who had posted about him. She had already taken him in, cleaned his eyes, and offered him some basic care, showing that sometimes, people’s good intentions can go a long way, even if just for a moment.

Moose had been lucky that day—lucky that people cared enough to step up, to make a difference. It didn’t take much—just a few hours of effort—but it gave Moose the chance to live a little longer, in a place surrounded by people who cared and loved him tremendously..

The Moose Who Oversaw It All

At the facility, Moose quickly earned his title as the "unofficial supervisor" and "quality control expert." His daily routine was one of light-hearted authority and endless curiosity. Despite his skin issues and the fact that many would hesitate to pet or cuddle with him, Moose didn’t let that stop him from becoming an integral part of the team.

Moose had a very important job: he made sure everything was done right. Whether it was sitting atop a shelf to oversee the cleaning of kennels or testing out fresh litter boxes, he took his role as "quality control" seriously.

Moose didn’t just help with the day-to-day chores—he was also a supervisor during intake procedures, often lounging on the tables where paperwork was filled out, or on your laptop or your shoulder, ensuring everything was in order.

When it came time for meal prep, Moose was always first in line. He willingly volunteered as a taste tester, making sure the food served to the other residents was of the highest quality. His presence wasn’t just comforting to the admin and volunteers—it was a reminder that every living being, no matter their appearance or condition, has value and can contribute in their own unique way.

A Legacy of Laughter and Love

Though Moose’s time at the facility was not long, only about four months, his impact was profound. He was a reminder that every animal, regardless of their past or physical appearance, deserves love, care, and respect. He became a beloved figure in the lives of those who worked with him, and his antics brought joy and laughter to all who encountered him.

Moose wasn’t just a cat with skin issues; he was a cat with heart, humor, and a knack for making the place feel like home. His story isn’t just about the people who rescued him—it’s about the community that rallied around him and the small acts of kindness that made his life a little brighter.

The Power of "Being Someone"

Moose’s story is a call to action. In a world full of social media posts pleading for help, it’s easy to become numb to the requests. But as his story shows, it only takes one person to step in and make a difference. “Being someone” who chooses to act rather than wait for others to do it can change the course of an animal’s life.

The collective effort of Kim Daniels, Brandi Sherman, and Cindy Curry, and the team at the facility gave Moose the love and care he needed in his final days. His life may have been cut short, but it was filled with love, laughter, and purpose.

Moose’s story serves as a reminder that no act of kindness is too small, and no creature is ever unworthy of compassion. It’s up to all of us to be the "someone" who makes a difference. Whether it’s providing a warm bed, a helping hand, or simply being there when needed, each step counts in the journey of rescue.\

A Farewell to Moose

Moose may have been a cat who didn’t fit the conventional mold of what many would call a "lovable pet," but to those who knew him, he was nothing short of extraordinary. His story is a testament to the resilience of animals, the power of community, and the beauty of small, selfless acts.

Though he has passed, Moose will not be forgotten. His spirit lives on in the memories of those who laughed at his antics, watched him "supervise" the daily tasks, and gave him the dignity of a life filled with love in his final days. He will always be remembered as a reminder that kindness has no boundaries—and that everyone, no matter their appearance or past, deserves a chance to feel cared for and loved.

Moose was a character, a companion, and, above all, a friend. He will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing him. And for those who didn't, his story will continue to inspire them to be someone who steps up to help when it matters most.

Moose

Fresno T.N.R. Big TV Fundraiser Results!

By: Tami Curtis

We want to send out a huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in our recent raffle! Your support for Fresno TNR is absolutely incredible and truly helps us continue our mission.

We were absolutely blown away by the generosity of our prize donors! A massive shout-out goes to Brenda Bethel for her super thoughtful donation of that fantastic 65-inch Sony Television – what an amazing prize! We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to Heidi H for donating the super handy automatic litter cleaner, which is a game-changer for any cat parent. And of course, a special thank you to our very own Fresno TNR for contributing the Amazon Gift Card!

Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for... drumroll, please!

Raffle sales: $3,220.

We're thrilled to announce our winners:

* Our first-place winner, taking home the awesome TV, is:

Lillian Dutra

* Second place, winning the high-tech automatic cat litter box, goes to:

Sylvia R

* And our third-place winner, snagging the Amazon gift card, is:

Tami DeLuca

Here is the truly heartwarming part that really touched us: In an incredibly selfless and generous act, Lillian, Sylvia, and Tami all decided to donate their fabulous prizes right back to Fresno TNR! How amazing is that?! Their kindness and dedication to our cause are simply inspiring, and these returned prizes will go directly towards another fundraiser to help even more cats and kittens in our community. We are so incredibly grateful for their thoughtfulness.

Thank you all again for being such an important part of the Fresno TNR family. You make a real difference every single day!

Raffle Winners

Fresno T.N.R Mews Letter Sneak Peek