FAQs
Can't find an answer to your question? Contact us at CatStats@neighborhoodcats.org.
How is data entered into Cat Stats?
Cat Stats allows caretakers to enter info for their colonies online, saving your TNR program hours of data entry. Through your organization's own unique Cat Stats website, a caretaker creates an account, logs in and completes a short form for each of her colonies. The form asks for cat numbers, location, contact info, etc. Caretakers can also log in and update their info at any time.
What if a caretaker doesn't have Internet access?
If a caretaker does not have internet access, your organization can enter colony information on their behalf. You can either create separate accounts for each caretaker, or create one account in your group's name and enter all the data there.
Who can view the info in a Cat Stats database?
There are three levels of access in a Cat Stats database: (1) colony caretaker, (2) trapper and (3) administrator. Caretakers can only view the data which they enter for their colonies. Designated trappers can access maps of registered colonies which contain basic colony and caretaker info, and enter notes. Adminstrators (called "module administrators") have access to all data entered for your program. All levels of access are password protected.
Does Cat Stats collect data on individual cats?
Cat Stats is designed to track colonies, not individual cats. No cat-specific data, such as medical records, rabies vaccination dates or photos, is collected.
What is Neighborhood Cats' involvement in Cat Stats?
Neighborhood Cats owns and administers the Cat Stats system.
Will Neighborhood Cats use any of the data in my organization's Cat Stats database?
Neighborhood Cats will not use any of the data in your Cat Stats database without your organization's express, written permission. This includes all colony, caretaker, trapper and administrator information. We understand the importance of confidentiality to your program and no exceptions to this policy are made.
What kind of technical support is there for Cat Stats?
Neighborhood Cats is available to provide whatever technical support you need to get your database up and running, and to assist you in running it. Contact us at CatStats@neighborhoodcats.org.
Are there training materials available on Cat Stats?
A recorded one-hour webinar on how to use Cat Stats is available at Community Cats Podcast (scroll down to the Webinar Archive at the bottom of the page.) You can also study and copy any relevant portions of the sample site at www.catstats.org/feralville. To access the admin side of the Feralville site, contact us at CatStats@neighborhoodcats.org and we'll send you the log-in info.
Why does Cat Stats have a required confidentiality policy?
As a condition of using Cat Stats, your organization must hold in strict confidence any data that could be used to identify or locate individual colonies or caretakers, like addresses, contact info, etc. In our experience, colony caretakers value their privacy and are concerned public disclosure of their identities and colony locations could place their cats at risk. By promising confidentiality of this information, your organization will protect caretakers and colonies, and encourage participation in your Cat Stats database.
Does Cat Stats store prior data after any colony or caretaker info is updated?
Cat Stats does not store data that has been overwritten. For example, if a caretaker initially reports six current cats in her colony and later updates this to five cats, the original entry is not stored. In order to track changes in data over time, and to create backups, you should periodically download your Cat Stats' spreadsheet. At least once a month is recommended.
Do I need to create a separate account for each colony?
No, multiple colonies can be entered under one caretaker account, using the same user name and password to log in. There is no need to create more than one account per caretaker.
Who will view the information I enter for my colony or colonies?
Your data will be accessible to the organization administering the Cat Stats website where you enter your information. As a condition of using Cat Stats, participating organizations must promise to keep all data on colony locations and caretaker identities confidential. On occasion, Neighborhood Cats may also access your information if doing so is necessary to assist the organization administering the site. Neighborhood Cats also promises confidentiality.