If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact the Feral Cat Assistance Program coordinator, Daiva at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thank you in advance for your understanding. We appreciate all you do in the community! Stay well!"
Before You Arrive
Make a Reservation
CAP can only provide a limited number of feral cat surgeries per day. Surgery times are by appointment only. Please make a surgery appointment online on the available day of your choice.
Check the Cats
- Do not bring in cats that have their left ear tipped.
- Do not bring in pets or owned cats
- Kittens must weigh a minimum of 2 lbs to receive services.
Prepare the Trap
If you trap two cats in the same trap you must bring an extra carrier (fabric carriers will not be accepted) or trap. All cats need to recover separately after surgery.
Please make sure there are no sharp edges or points inside the trap that can injure the cat during recovery.
Cover the trap with a large towel or blanket to keep the cats warm and calm during transport. This helps preserve body temperature and minimizes stress and reduces self-inflicted trauma. Please do not use good towels or sheets.
Complete the Cat Surgery Intake Form
One fully completed surgery intake form for each cat is required - download the New FCAP Surgery Form online, print, and complete.
FeLV/FIV testing is available; the $20 fee can be paid in cash or credit card and done at check-in. If the cat tests positive for Feline Leukemia/Feline Aids, please mark if you would like the cat to be euthanized or not.
Please have all surgery forms filled out prior to check-in.
The Day of Surgery
Transport
Keep all cats covered and warm throughout all stages of transport, before and after surgery. Cats can't regulate their body temperature for 24 hours after surgery. Do not transfer cats in the trunk of your vehicle, unless it is open to the rest of your vehicle.
Traps
Cats must be in covered humane traps. We cannot safely sedate and accept cats in carriers, boxes, and crates. We will not transfer cats into humane traps prior to surgery. You can bring an extra carrier (fabric carriers will not be accepted) to transfer the cat into after surgery.
After Surgery
You will be provided with a copy of the medical record. You will also be provided with Post-Op instructions. Please review them carefully.
General Clinic Policies
Sick/Unhealthy Cats
If our veterinarian believes a feral cat is too ill to undergo anesthesia/surgery and is in too poor of health to live outdoors, surgery will not be performed and the caretaker will be contacted. The cat can either be euthanized at the caretakers request or be released back to the caretaker to take to a full service vet clinic. If the caretaker chooses to take the cat to a full service vet clinic all charges will be the caretaker's responsibility.
Feral cats that test positive for FeLV/FIV will only be euthanized at the request of the caretaker. It is not recommended to release FeLV/FIV positive cats back outdoors.
Pregnant or Lactating Queens
All pregnant queens will be spayed and the fetuses will be euthanized. All lactating queens will also be spayed. It is the responsibility of the caretaker to determine if the cat is caring for kittens previous to bringing them in for surgery.
All pregnant and lactating females will be given subcutaneous fluids at the time of surgery.
Kittens
Mothers often leave their kittens for a few hours while they search for food. Before you pick up kittens read the article “How and When to Care for and Socialize Feral Kittens” at alleycat.org. It will be your responsibility to foster kittens that you pick up. Kittens can be trap, neutered, and returned when they are 8 weeks old and 2 lbs. FCAP is not responsible for the placement, fostering, adoption, socialization, and wellness of feral kittens.
Post-Surgical Care
Please follow all post-surgical instructions. If a complication arises due to the surgery please contact CAP at 281-600-8503 for a recheck. We will not be responsible for charges incurred if the cats are taken elsewhere for treatment. It is the responsibility of the caretaker to seek medical care in the event of illness or injury.
Right to Refuse Service
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who engages in inappropriate treatment of staff, volunteers, property, or animals. We may also refuse service to anyone who repeatedly fails to follow CAP clinic policies.
FREE Services Provided during Surgery
Spay or neuter with dissolvable sutures
Ear Tip (mandatory)
Rabies vaccination (mandatory)
Flea Preventative
Treatment for ear mites
Pain Medication
Fluids, if needed
Recovery
Keep cats in their traps during recovery. Do not attempt to touch or transfer a cat when it is awake. Cats need to be held for 24-48 hours. Choose a dry, temperature-controlled (about 75 degrees), and safe overnight holding/recovery area for use before and after the cats' surgeries. Some examples of acceptable locations include bathrooms, basements, garages, storage sheds. Make sure it is quiet and inaccessible to other animals.
Releasing
If cats are fully awake the next day, they can be released to the same location they were trapped. Release the cat in a direction that does not encourage the cats to run into danger zones, such as a busy street.
DO NOT RELOCATE a feral cat. Relocation is rarely successful. This should only be done in emergency situations and following proper relocation methods. Proper relocation methods can be found on alleycat.org.
It is recommended to try deterrence techniques to encourage cats to leave before choosing relocation.