SNC Feral Cat Policy

A feral cat is one that lives outside and is not socialized to humans. Feral cats can have the same lifespan, and the incidence of disease is just as low, as companion cats. Feral cats can live long, healthy lives, content in their outdoor home.

Feral cats typically live in colonies where they have access to food and shelter. An unmanaged colony can become a problem, with rampant breeding, and the onset of problem mating behaviors (fighting, yowling, etc.). However, feral cats should not be taken to the animal shelter, as they are not adoptable and can only be euthanized. Catching and killing the cats does not work. When cats are removed from an area, survivors breed to capacity or new cats move in (This is known as the “vacuum effect,” and is well-documented).

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the most humane and effective method available to end the severe feral cat overpopulation crisis faced by this country. This method has been endorsed by national animal welfare groups, as well as many animal control departments, as the best option for feral cats and the communities they inhabit.

• Feral cat surgeries are on Monday through Thursday only.

• Our feral cat surgery price is $40 which includes: surgery, rabies  vaccine, ear tip and tattoo.

• One or two feral cats do not need an appointment; however, 3 or more on any given day do require an appointment. If you are planning a “trapping blitz” (a large number of traps being set at one time), please contact the clinic a week in advance so that we can adjust our schedule and plan for a greater than typical number of surgeries on the anticipated day.

• Feral cats must be checked in by 9:30  am (8 am – 9:30 am) and must be picked up the following morning at 7:30 am. We do assess late fees for late pick-up

Physical Requirements

• For the sake of their health, all kittens must be 2 pounds before they can be altered.  It is sometimes difficult to tell if they are of weight just by looking at them.  If you trap kittens and they are declined for surgery due to being underweight there will be a $10 fee charged per kitten that is declined.  Please understand that we cannot weigh the kittens until they are anesthetized and must cover our cost associated with that procedure.

• Feral cats must be fasted by the trapper - no food after 7am the day of surgery. If there is a food bowl in the trap with the cat, please just turn it over.

Transportation Requirements

• All feral cats must come to the clinic in a secure, live-release trap. No exceptions. This is for the well-being of the cats and the safety of our staff. Please totally cover the trap with a large towel or sheet upon capture and keep the trap covered until drop-off for surgery. Please do not put bedding, towels, metal plates or cans inside the trap.

• Any cat that arrives in a live-release trap will not receive a physical exam to determine fitness for anesthesia prior to receiving anesthesia.

• We will not conduct combo tests on feral cats.  Alley Cat Allies does not support testing feral cats for FeLv or FIV.  Considering the cost of the test in conjunction with the low rates of disease (1-2% of feral populations according to ACA), low likelihood of transmission between adult cats, poor viability of the virus , the fact that we will not euthanize an asymptomatic positive cat, we believe that funds are more effectively invested in providing spay/neuter services.  For further questions, we encourage you to visit www.alleycat.org.

• All feral cats will receive an ear tip.  The only exception is feral kittens under 12 weeks of age brought in by a 501(c)3 agency that intends to socialize them and adopt them out.