If I trap a cat whose ear is already tipped, how do I know if he is up to date on inoculations?
If there is another feral cat caregiver in the immediate area you should first check with them. Some people keep very accurate records for their colony cats and will be able to give you updated information. In any case, what you do depends on your location: If you live in a town or municipality which mandates TN R and feral colony vaccinations, you should take the new cat in for vaccines. In Cook County, it is now illegal to feed outdoor, un-owned cats without being a registered colony caretaker with a sponsoring organization and practicing TNR, including rabies vaccination and responsible colony management. The Cook County Managed Care of Feral Cats Ordinance, Chapter 10 Animals, Article IV Managed Care of Feral Cats, Section 10-95 through 10-99, was passed and adopted October 16, 2007 and went into effect 30 days after that date. To learn more about this ordinance that can benefit feral cats, their human caretakers, and their human neighbors, see the Cook County Feral Cat Colony Care Taker Application and the Ordinance itself (PDF or WORD).