Bideawee's Feral Cat Initiative

09/09/2025

It's ! 📝🐈 Issues around feeding are a top cause of neighborhood tension around community cats. If you're already hearing complaints or just want to prevent them, a solution may be easier than you think. Follow these basic feeding best practices to help keep the peace — and keep the cats well-fed and happy!

• DON'T leave "cat trash" behind. People will unfairly blame the cats for the mess.
• DO put paper plates, empty cat food cans, etc. in a trash or recycling bin before you leave the colony, or take them with you.

• DON'T feed at random times and/or leave food unattended. This can attract wildlife, putting the cats at risk of confrontations with wild animals, as well as drawing unfair blame.
• DO feed on a schedule. Cats love routine, so they'll be waiting for you when you arrive, and they'll eat their fill within 30 minutes. If there are leftovers, remove them after 30 minutes, and next time you'll know the right amount to feed.

• DON'T dismiss, insult, or argue with complainers. It may feel good for a minute, but it could escalate the situation and put the cats in danger.
• DO talk calmly to neighbors if you hear complaints despite having a tidy feeding station. Find out exactly what some people don't like about your feeding method, and look for a compromise that everyone can live with. The answer could be something simple, such as moving the feeding station and/or changing your feeding time. By taking complaints seriously and constructively, you're already halfway to a "win" for the cats.

Learn more about how a solution-focused approach like this can defuse conflicts and gain support for TNR in our free webinar:

Love Cats? Hate Cats? Be an "Advocat"
On-Demand Recording: https://bit.ly/BFCICRV
Handout: https://bit.ly/BFCICRH

And for in-depth info on TNR:
Alley Cat Allies: http://alleycat.org/TNR

09/08/2025

Get certified in Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) on Saturday 9/13 at this online workshop from Neighborhood Cats and Community Cats Podcast! Learn more & register: https://mailchi.mp/communitycatspodcast/news-from-the-community-cats-podcast-6678998

🐈‍⬛ The cooler months are coming—don’t wait. Build your TNR skills now and keep colonies healthy and safe through winter. Seize the season and get TNR certified on September 13th! - https://mailchi.mp/communitycatspodcast/news-from-the-community-cats-podcast-6678998

09/02/2025

It's ! 📝🐈 How can you win over cat haters and head off complaints about your cat colony? Completing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for 100% of your cats will fix 3 top causes of complaints about community cats. Sounds too good to be true? Read on:

Common complaints about cats stem from mating-related behaviors: the yowling and fighting that surrounds mating, the stink of territorial tomcat spray, and out-of-control kitten births. Even cat lovers can find these things hard to live with!

Removing the cats won't get rid of these behaviors because new cats will move in and breed, thanks to the Vacuum Effect.

But TNR will help! TNRed cats don't mate or reproduce, so there will be less noise, less smell, and fewer cats over time. Kittens who are young enough to be tamed for adoption can be taken off the street for life indoors, and friendly adults can be rehomed. And by returning the feral adult cats to their "home" territory, they'll defend that territory against newcomer cats. Tomcats from other neighborhoods may not even bother visiting your TNRed colony because the females no longer go into heat. Life in a TNRed colony is pretty quiet, and that improves quality of life for the cats and humans alike.

Learn more in our free "Community Cats 101" webinar:
On-Demand Recording: https://bit.ly/BFCICCV
Handout: https://bit.ly/BFCICCH

And for in-depth info on TNR:
Alley Cat Allies : http://alleycat.org/TNR

08/27/2025

It's ! 💙🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛💛 If you've been working to tame feral kittens and have gotten them comfortable with petting, great! It's time for the final phase of taming.

To prepare kittens for lifting, pet and touch their head and shoulders as usual, then move to touching the underbelly to accustom them to this sensation. Also try nudging them from one side to the other while they're engrossed in eating. Having your hands near them and gently pushing them around will get them ready to be picked up.

For the first lift, sit on the floor so they're still close to the floor. Try it when they're eating next to you. Lift them under their chest in front of the food bowl. Move them loosely onto your knees and eventually hold them to your chest. Young kittens are often reassured by the feel of your warm body and heartbeat.

Next, hold them as you rise up on your knees, eventually standing up. Be sure they're comfortable with small lifts before ever reaching down from above to pick them up.

The final touch: handling without food. When the kittens are sleepy and full after a long taming session, try gentle petting and holding without food. If this works, try it at other times between meals. When you can do that, they're ready for adoption!

Learn more in our free "Taming Feral Kittens for Adoption" webinar:
On-Demand Recording: https://bit.ly/BFCITFKV
Handout: https://bit.ly/BFCITFKH

And for in-depth info on socializing kittens:
Urban Cat League : https://urbancatleague.org/taming-toolkit/
Flatbush Cats: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuusLiEn_3Z2w--AXzrUAIrYV2hwXAZw6
Kitten Lady: https://kittenlady.org/feral

08/21/2025

Will you be the one to give Blossom the forever loving home she deserves after being through SO much? Learn more and apply: https://www.bideawee.org/adopt-pet/blossom/210894808

08/20/2025

It's ! 💙🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛💛 Feral kittens 6–8 weeks old can be socialized in a matter of days using food as a taming tool, but interactive play is a complementary taming technique that can be the deciding factor for some kittens. Why?

Play hones kittens' hunting skills and satisfies their prey drive. At this age, their mother would be bringing live prey for them to attack under her supervision. You're fulfilling that need through play, and it's a bonding experience. Kittens over 8 weeks may also find it a bonding experience because play satisfies their prey drive.

Be patient as kittens get used to the idea of toys. Outdoors, their toys were butterflies and blades of grass. Introduce interactive play with a string on a stick or another toy that lets them join your game without getting close to you.

Make the toy mimic real prey — have it "run away" to be chased, and let it sit still to be stalked. Both are fun for a kitten. Give treats as a reward for "killing" the toy, or hold play sessions right before meals.

For some kittens, interactive play is the activity that most inspires trust, leading to breakthroughs in touch and handling. But we recommend it as a taming tool for all kittens because it enhances bonding.

Learn more in our free "Taming Feral Kittens for Adoption" webinar:
On-Demand Recording: https://bit.ly/BFCITFKV
Handout: https://bit.ly/BFCITFKH

And for in-depth info on socializing kittens:
Urban Cat League: https://urbancatleague.org/taming-toolkit/
Flatbush Cats: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuusLiEn_3Z2w--AXzrUAIrYV2hwXAZw6
Kitten Lady: https://kittenlady.org/feral

08/13/2025

It's ! 💙🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛💛 Food is the #1 taming tool for feral kittens. Why? Their growing bodies need lots of food, so it's a great incentive for them to approach us despite their fear.

Last week we discussed moving the food bowl increasingly close to us and offering meat puree on a spoon or treat sticks like Churus. Now the kittens are close enough to be touched — but don't spook them! Get kittens used to touch gradually while distracting them with food.

Let the kittens be the first to initiate touch. If they can eat pureed meat treats without biting the spoon or tube, put some puree on your finger for them to lick. This is an easy way to trick kittens into touching you, and it teaches that hands are nurturing.

Another method: Use food to lure kittens onto your lap. Start with the bowl, spoon, or hand-held treat on the floor next to you. Once they're focused on eating, slowly move the bowl/spoon/treat onto your lap. It may take several meals until a kitten puts all four paws on your lap. But once a kitten is happily eating on your lap, you can gradually sneak your hand behind his head to pet him gently on the head and shoulders. For best results, initiate petting at the beginning of a meal when they are very hungry.

Learn more in our free "Taming Feral Kittens for Adoption" webinar:
On-Demand Recording: https://bit.ly/BFCITFKV
Handout: https://bit.ly/BFCITFKH

And for in-depth info on socializing kittens:
Urban Cat League: https://urbancatleague.org/taming-toolkit/
Flatbush Cats: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuusLiEn_3Z2w--AXzrUAIrYV2hwXAZw6
Kitten Lady: https://kittenlady.org/feral

08/06/2025

It's ! 💙🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛💛 Food is the #1 taming tool for feral kittens. Why? Their growing bodies need lots of food, so it's a great incentive for them to approach us despite their fear.

Caution: Never grab feral kittens! Grabbing makes them terrified of hands, sabotaging the taming process before it's begun. Only use a humane trap to bring feral kittens indoors.

Let kittens settle indoors for 1–2 days before you begin taming. Use a small, bare room like a bathroom, where you can sit at their level. Give them a box or carrier so they can choose to hide or come toward you. Never use force; be patient and gentle.

Each meal is a chance to gain trust. The goal is for them to associate food and nurturing with human presence and touch. Kittens 6–8 weeks old should eat every 6 hours, so leave food for them overnight. For harder-to-tame kittens over 8 weeks, use the "Tough Love" method, where food is only available when you're in the room.

If they hide at first, put the food bowl in or near the hiding box. Draw the bowl closer to you with each meal until they'll eat with your hand on the bowl. Then work up to hand-feeding, starting with meat puree on a spoon, or treat sticks like Churus.

Next week: Eating on your lap, and more ways to initiate touch.

Learn more in our free "Taming Feral Kittens for Adoption" webinar:
On-Demand Recording: https://bit.ly/BFCITFKV
Handout: https://bit.ly/BFCITFKH

And for in-depth info on socializing kittens:
Urban Cat League : https://urbancatleague.org/taming-toolkit/
Flatbush Cats : https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuusLiEn_3Z2w--AXzrUAIrYV2hwXAZw6
Kitten Lady: https://kittenlady.org/feral

07/30/2025

It's ! 💙🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛💛 Feral kittens over 8 weeks old are harder to tame (socialize) than younger ones. Why? At 8 weeks, kittens are ready to live on their own. The survival skills their mom taught — including fear of humans — are now branded on their brains. The older they are, the harder it is to earn their trust, and some may never be comfortable living indoors with people.

Kittens under 8 weeks can be tamed in a few days, but it may take weeks, months, or longer for older kittens and adult cats. Do you have the time and commitment needed to socialize older kittens well enough to be adopted?

If you want to try taming older kittens or adults, start with a 2-week trial period to see if they start to engage with you. If they don't budge from feral behavior after 2 weeks, spay/neuter and return them to their original outdoor territory. If you wait longer than 2 weeks to reunite cats with their colony, they may be rejected by their old pals and have a hard time finding food and shelter.

It's OK if you're not ready for a long-term taming project. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and life in a managed colony is a great option for feral cats. They tend to live healthier, longer lives under human stewardship.

Learn more in our free "Taming Feral Kittens for Adoption" webinar:
On-Demand Recording: https://bit.ly/BFCITFKV
Handout: https://bit.ly/BFCITFKH

And for in-depth info on socializing kittens:
Urban Cat League: https://urbancatleague.org/taming-toolkit/
Flatbush Cats: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuusLiEn_3Z2w--AXzrUAIrYV2hwXAZw6
Kitten Lady: https://kittenlady.org/feral

07/27/2025

Right now, more than 1,000 animals are in the care of Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), NYC's open-intake shelter. Dogs are being stacked in crates. Hallways are full. They are currently caring for more than 500 cats. Resources are stretched impossibly thin.

We've always focused on finding homes for the animals in our care — but when another shelter is in a crisis of this magnitude, we can’t turn away.

If you’re thinking about adopting or fostering, and don’t find your match at Bideawee, please consider ACC. They have locations in Manhattan, Staten Island, and Queens, and all are filled beyond capacity with loving animals in desperate need of homes. The animals there need us, ALL OF US.

Because at this moment, it’s not about which shelter they come from. It’s about getting them home. 🐾🙏

Right now, more than 1,000 animals are in the care of Animal Care Centers (ACC), NYC’s open-intake shelter. Dogs are being stacked in crates. Hallways are full. They are currently caring for more than 500 cats. Resources are stretched impossibly thin.

We’ve always focused on finding homes for the animals in our care — but when another shelter is in a crisis of this magnitude, we can’t turn away.

If you’re thinking about adopting or fostering, and don’t find your match at Bideawee, please consider ACC. They have locations in Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens and all are filled beyond capacity with loving animals in desperate need of homes. The animals there need us, ALL OF US.

Because at this moment, it’s not about which shelter they come from. It’s about getting them home. 🐾 🙏

07/25/2025

Get certified in Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) on Sunday 7/27 at this online workshop from Neighborhood Cats and Community Cats Podcast! Learn more and register: https://mailchi.mp/communitycatspodcast/news-from-the-community-cats-podcast-6678778

🐾 Build your TNR skills! Join the workshop this Sunday and gain expert tips for planning, trapping, and managing colonies successfully. Register now before it’s too late! - https://mailchi.mp/communitycatspodcast/news-from-the-community-cats-podcast-6678778

07/23/2025

It's ! 💙🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛💛 6–8 weeks old is the ideal age for taming (socializing) feral kittens, and you can do it in days using food as an incentive. Why? Kittens in this life stage are transitioning from complete dependence on Mom to complete independence, and they're ready to learn a new way of life.

Kittens get a big push toward independence as the weaning process winds down. Mother's milk is no longer enough to fuel their rapid growth, so kittens will eagerly accept a new source of nutrition. At the same time, Mom becomes increasingly intolerant of nursing — it depletes her energy, which she'll need for her next litter.

This period is also a unique time of accelerated learning for kittens. When they start leaving their den at about 6 weeks, Mom gives them a 2-week survival crash course. They learn to hunt on their own. They learn to run when Mom growls a warning and to hide until danger has passed. If Mom fears humans, her kittens will learn that fear. Research shows that these impressions and habits become deeply ingrained. Within the 6–8 week window, kittens can overcome a fear of humans if they experience a counterincentive of food and nurturing from us. But after that second month of life, their minds are not easily changed.

Learn more in our free "Taming Feral Kittens for Adoption" webinar:
On-Demand Recording: https://bit.ly/BFCITFKV
Handout: https://bit.ly/BFCITFKH

And for in-depth info on socializing kittens:
Urban Cat League: https://urbancatleague.org/taming-toolkit/
Flatbush Cats: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuusLiEn_3Z2w--AXzrUAIrYV2hwXAZw6
Kitten Lady: https://kittenlady.org/feral