Purpose

The Park County Animal Shelter is a no-kill shelter.
The Shelter believes that cats that are feral should not be euthanized because they are feral.
The Shelter believes that feral cats should be spayed, neutered and vaccinated, and live in humane conditions.
A feral cat is one that is living in a wild state and has unsocial behavior towards people.

Goal

The Shelter as part of its animal care policy will spay/neuter/vaccinate feral cats and endeavor to find homes/farms/ranches/ or locations that will provide shelter, water, and food.

Procedure

All Shelter staff should be trained to handle and care for feral cats.
The Shelter is responsible for providing staff with proper training, equipment and cages to handle feral cats.

If a cat appears to be feral, have an individual with experience with feral cats determine if it is feral.
It is important to give a cat time to settle down after coming to the Shelter. Providing a place to hide (blanket) helps a cat to feel safe.

Once it is determined that a cat is feral, notify the Shelter person who deals with feral cats that a placement is needed.

At the end of 6 days, the feral cat should be tested for FIC/FIP, vaccinated for rabies and distemper, and spay/neutered. The feral is then returned to the Shelter for care for approximately four (4) days before placement.

If the cat tests positive for FIV/FIT, the vet will euthanize the cat.

If the vet determines that the feral cat is pregnant and within 2 weeks of delivery, the cat will be returned to the Shelter for care or fostering. If the vet determines the feral is pregnant and not within 2 weeks of delivery, the pregnancy will be terminated and the cat spayed.

The Shelter will be responsible for the care and adoption of the feral cat’s kittens.

Approved by the Park County Animal Shelter Board, September 13, 2012.