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Bideawee's Feral Cat Initiative

@nycfci

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Program of @bideawee. Supporting work of those who practice Trap-Neuter-Return #TNR for #feralcats #communitycats #straycats in #NYC & #LongIsland.

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Join us for a FREE webinar on October 21 to learn how to build 4 different kinds of simple shelters to protect feral and stray community cats from harsh winter weather!

Design #3: Simple 2-Foot Foam Board Cube Shelter
This elegant, economical design uses every square inch of a 2-foot by 8-foot piece of wall/roofing insulation meant for human homes. The boards are thick enough to keep cats warm and they form a sturdy little house with a built-in base and awning. (Originally designed by Karin Hancock, Long Island, NY)

Free Webinar: Building Shelters for Outdoor Cats
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
5:00–6:30 p.m. ET

Can't attend on 10/21? No problem! Everyone who registers will receive links to the webinar recording and handout the next day.

Register: https://bit.ly/BFCIBSR or link in bio

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@bideawee #bideawee #communitycat #communitycats #feralcat #feralcats #straycat #straycats #trapneuterreturn #tnr #tnrnyc #nyctnr #tnrworks #tnrsaveslives #tnvr #colonycaretaker #tnrcatsofinstagram #feralcatsofinstagram #helpanimals #volunteer #webinar #WinterShelterWednesday by @nycfci

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a day ago

TODAY, October 16, Celebrate Global Cat Day and National Feral Cat Day!

Each October, our friends at Alley Cat Allies @alleycatallies shine a spotlight on cats around the world through their #GlobalCatDay and #NationalFeralCatDay campaigns. The event's motto, #CatsAreCommunity, is a rallying call of this global truth: Cats have lived alongside people for thousands of years, have a place in our communities, and are beings of inherent value who deserve to be protected.

October 16 is a day for each of us to become a cat advocate! Bideawee's Feral Cat Initiative encourages you to observe Global Cat Day/National Feral Cat Day all month by taking action on behalf of the cats who share your life — from your pampered indoor pets to the feral and stray community cats who call your neighborhood home.

5 Ways to Go to Bat for Cats:
• Learn how to help community cats through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR): https://bit.ly/LearnTNRNC or link in bio
• Build a shelter to protect outdoor cats from winter weather: https://bit.ly/KidsCatShelter or link in bio
• Adopt a cat or kitten: https://bideawee.org/adopt or link in bio
• Foster a cat or kitten: https://bideawee.org/foster or link in bio
• Donate to support the work of Bideawee's Feral Cat Initiative: https://bit.ly/DonateFCI or link in bio

Learn more about Global Cat Day/National Feral Cat Day: https://globalcatday.org or link in bio

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@bideawee #bideawee #communitycat #communitycats #feralcat #feralcats #straycat #straycats #trapneuterreturn #tnr #tnrworks #tnvr #tnrsaveslives #tnrnyc #nyctnr #colonycaretaker #catrescue #catstagram #catsofinstagram #feralcatsofinstagram #tnrcatsofinstagram #volunteer #helpanimals by @nycfci

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a day ago

It's #WinterShelterWednesday! 🌬️❄️🏠🌡️🐱 Join us for a FREE webinar on October 21 to learn how to build 4 different kinds of simple shelters to protect feral and stray community cats from harsh winter weather!

Design #2: Easy Plastic Bin Shelter
This shelter can last for years. It requires cutting and assembly, but no special skills or tools. It can be made large or small, depending on the size of the storage bin you're using as the shell. When deciding how big a bin you need, remember that the interior space will be smaller than the inside of the bin itself because the floor, ceiling, and four walls with be lined with 1-inch-thick insulation board.

Free Webinar: Building Shelters for Outdoor Cats
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
5:00–6:30 p.m. ET

Can't attend on 10/21? No problem! Everyone who registers will receive links to the webinar recording and handout the next day.

Register: https://bit.ly/BFCIBSR or link in bio

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@bideawee #bideawee #communitycat #communitycats #feralcat #feralcats #straycat #straycats #trapneuterreturn #tnr #tnrnyc #nyctnr #tnrworks #tnrsaveslives #tnvr #colonycaretaker #tnrcatsofinstagram #feralcatsofinstagram #helpanimals #volunteer #webinar by @nycfci

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3 days ago

It's #WittleWhiskersWednesday! 🐈💛🐈💙🐈 If you've been working to tame feral kittens and they are now 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'll stay close to the floor. Try it when they're eating next to you. Lift them under their chest in front of the food bowl. Next, lift them loosely onto your knees, working up to holding them to your chest. Most young kittens are 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 step: Handling without food. When the kittens are sleepy and full after a taming session with food, try petting and holding without food. If this works, try it at other times between meals. If that’s successful, they're ready for adoption!

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

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

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@bideawee #bideawee #nycfci #kittenseason #kittencare #kittenrescue #fosterkitten #fosterkittens #fosterkittensofinstagram #bottlebaby #bottlebabies #kittenstagram #kittensofinstagram #communitycats #feralcats #straycats #tnr #trapneuterreturn #tnvr #tnrworks #tnrsaveslives #tnrnyc #nyctnr #colonycaretaker #tnrcatsofinstagram #feralcatsofinstagram #fosteringsaveslives #volunteer #webinar by @nycfci

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3 days ago

Join us for a FREE webinar on October 21 to learn how to build 4 different kinds of simple shelters to protect feral and stray community cats from harsh winter weather!

Design #1: Super Simple Foam Box Shelter
This design is really easy for kids, teens, and adults to make — it's simply a foam shipping box with a doorway! You can get a box for free from a restaurant or seafood shop, or you can recycle your own shipping boxes. The box itself is waterproof, holds in heat, and is easy to cut using a regular kitchen knife. Easy, creative add-ons make the shelter more weatherproof, help it last longer, and make it easier to hide.

Free Webinar: Building Shelters for Outdoor Cats
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
5:00–6:30 p.m. ET

Can't attend on 10/21? No problem! Everyone who registers will receive links to the webinar recording and handout the next day.

Register: https://bit.ly/BFCIBSR or link in bio

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@bideawee #bideawee #communitycat #communitycats #feralcat #feralcats #straycat #straycats #trapneuterreturn #tnr #tnrnyc #nyctnr #tnrworks #tnrsaveslives #tnvr #colonycaretaker #tnrcatsofinstagram #feralcatsofinstagram #helpanimals #volunteer #webinar #WinterShelterWednesday by @nycfci

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5 days ago

This winter: Less BRRRRR, more PURRRRR! Learn the materials, tools, and skills needed to build warm, waterproof shelters to protect feral and stray community cats from harsh winter weather at our FREE "Building Shelters for Outdoor Cats" webinar on October 21. Building cat shelters is a great project for adults, teens, and kids who want to help animals!

Can't attend on 10/21? No problem! Everyone who registers will receive links to the webinar recording and handout the next day.

Register: https://bit.ly/BFCIBSR or link in bio

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@bideawee #bideawee #communitycat #communitycats #feralcat #feralcats #straycat #straycats #trapneuterreturn #tnr #tnrnyc #nyctnr #tnrworks #tnrsaveslives #tnvr #colonycaretaker #tnrcatsofinstagram #feralcatsofinstagram #helpanimals #volunteer #webinar #WinterShelterWednesday by @nycfci

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6 days ago

It's #WinterShelterWednesday! 🌬️❄️🏠🌡️🐱 Join us for a FREE webinar on October 21 to learn the materials, tools, and skills needed to build warm, waterproof shelters to protect feral and stray community cats from harsh winter weather. We'll show you a variety of effective shelter styles from simple to fancy, and we'll discuss strategies for placing shelters for maximum warmth, comfort, and safety.

The presentation will include video demonstrations for building four simple and inexpensive styles of shelter, using very basic equipment and little to no special skills. We'll point out where you can use power tools, but all of these shelters can be made using simple hand tools or kitchen knives and a box cutter. Attendees will receive a downloadable handout with instructions for building the shelters in our demonstration videos.

Can't attend on 10/21? No problem! Everyone who registers will receive links to the webinar recording and handout the next day.

Register: https://bit.ly/BFCIBSR or link in bio

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@bideawee #bideawee #communitycat #communitycats #feralcat #feralcats #straycat #straycats #trapneuterreturn #tnr #tnrnyc #nyctnr #tnrworks #tnrsaveslives #tnvr #colonycaretaker #tnrcatsofinstagram #feralcatsofinstagram #helpanimals #volunteer #webinar by @nycfci

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10 days ago

It's #WittleWhiskersWednesday! 🐈💛🐈💙🐈 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 to let kittens practice hunting skills. You're fulfilling that need through play, and it's a bonding experience. Many kittens over 8 weeks also find play to be a bonding experience because it 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 or link in bio
Handout: https://bit.ly/BFCITFKH or link in bio

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

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@bideawee #bideawee #nycfci #kittenseason #kittencare #kittenrescue #fosterkitten #fosterkittens #fosterkittensofinstagram #bottlebaby #bottlebabies #kittenstagram #kittensofinstagram #communitycats #feralcats #straycats #tnr #trapneuterreturn #tnvr #tnrworks #tnrsaveslives #tnrnyc #nyctnr #colonycaretaker #tnrcatsofinstagram #feralcatsofinstagram #fosteringsaveslives #volunteer #webinar by @nycfci

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10 days ago

It's #WittleWhiskersWednesday! 🐈💛🐈💙🐈 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 or link in bio
Handout: https://bit.ly/BFCITFKH or link in bio

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

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@bideawee #bideawee #nycfci #kittenseason #kittencare #kittenrescue #fosterkitten #fosterkittens #fosterkittensofinstagram #bottlebaby #bottlebabies #kittenstagram #kittensofinstagram #communitycats #feralcats #straycats #tnr #trapneuterreturn #tnvr #tnrworks #tnrsaveslives #tnrnyc #nyctnr #colonycaretaker #tnrcatsofinstagram #feralcatsofinstagram #fosteringsaveslives #volunteer #webinar by @nycfci

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17 days ago

Calling All NYC/LI Kitten Tamers!

Bideawee is looking for emergency foster placement for two special sisters, Amber and Autumn. At just over 3 months old, these tabby teenyboppers have been through a lot. We recently took them in, underweight and undersocialized, but with a bright future ahead!

We're seeking a foster volunteer in New York City or Long Island who can commit to providing a few weeks of kitten taming "bootcamp" to finish convincing these cuties that people are trustworthy friends. The ideal foster caretaker will have the ability to implement the best practices taught in our "Taming Feral Kittens for Adoption" webinar — providing regular hand-feeding, play, love, and lots of positive human interaction to help these girls come out of their shells in preparation for their forever homes.

If this sounds like the purrfect project for you, please fill out our cat Emergency Fosters application. Be sure to note "Amber & Autumn" in your application so our Foster team knows you're eager to help these sisters shine.

Apply to foster Amber and Autumn:
https://bideawee.org/emergency-fosters or link in bio

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@bideawee #bideawee #nycfci #kittenseason #kittencare #kittenrescue #fosterkitten #fosterkittens #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosteringsaveslives #volunteer by @nycfci

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23 days ago

It's #WittleWhiskersWednesday! 🐈💛🐈💙🐈 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.

First, a taming pro tip: Never grab feral kittens! Grabbing makes them terrified of hands, sabotaging the taming process before it's begun. Only use humane traps 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, you can use the "Tough Love" method, where food is available only 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 tubes like Churu.

Coming up next week: More ways to initiate touch.

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

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

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@bideawee #bideawee #nycfci #kittenseason #kittencare #kittenrescue #fosterkitten #fosterkittens #fosterkittensofinstagram #bottlebaby #bottlebabies #kittenstagram #kittensofinstagram #communitycats #feralcats #straycats #tnr #trapneuterreturn #tnvr #tnrworks #tnrsaveslives #tnrnyc #nyctnr #colonycaretaker #tnrcatsofinstagram #feralcatsofinstagram #fosteringsaveslives #volunteer #webinar by @nycfci

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24 days ago

Calling All Kitten Tamers in New York City or Long Island!

Bideawee is looking for emergency foster placement for two special sisters, Amber and Autumn. At just over 3 months old, these little tabby girls have been through a lot. We recently took them in, underweight and undersocialized, but with a bright future ahead!

We're seeking a foster volunteer in NYC/LI who can commit to providing a few weeks of kitten taming "bootcamp" to finish convincing these cuties that people are trustworthy friends. The ideal foster caretaker will have the ability to implement the best practices taught in our "Taming Feral Kittens for Adoption" webinar — providing regular hand-feeding, play, love, and lots of positive human interaction to help these girls come out of their shells in preparation for their forever homes.

If this sounds like the purrfect project for you, please fill out our cat Emergency Fosters application. Be sure to note "Amber & Autumn" in your application so our Foster team knows you're eager to help these sisters shine.

Apply to foster Amber and Autumn:
https://bideawee.org/emergency-fosters or link in bio

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

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@bideawee #bideawee #nycfci #kittenseason #kittencare #kittenrescue #fosterkitten #fosterkittens #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosteringsaveslives #volunteer by @nycfci

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a month ago