Maddie's Spay/Neuter Project for Feral Cats in Erie County
Operation PETS is committed to saving the lives of innocent animals through prevention. We are privileged to be a Maddie's Spay/Neuter Project Partner.
The project is made possible by a grant from the Maddie’s Fund Pet Rescue Foundation and is administered by Operation PETS. Eight private practice veterinary hospitals also participate (see all Maddie's Spay/Neuter Project Partners).
For the low cost of $10.00 feral cats are spayed or neutered and vaccinated (rabies and distemper).
Operation PETS offers an optional treatment of Revolution (a topically applied medication that kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching; prevents heartworm disease; treats ear mites, roundworms and hookworms (read more about Revolution).
All other procedures or treatments are optional and the feral caregiver is responsible for payment.
1) Feral caregiver must be an Erie County resident (must bring proof of residence)
2) There is no limit on number of ferals that can be sterilized.
3) Ferals will be temperament tested to verify they are truly a feral (wild) cat as defined by Maddie's Spay/Neuter Project.
4) Operation PETS will do our best to fit a feral cat into our surgery schedule. Trapping should coincide with our clinic’s ability to spay/neuter.
5) Ferals must be trapped and confined with no food before midnight the night before surgery. Any cat that remained outside all night without being confined will not be admitted for surgery.
NOTE: We DO NOT FIV/FeLV test feral, free roaming or barn cats.
6) All ferals must arrive in a secure, humane trap. This is for the well-being of the cats and the safety of our staff. Cover the entire trap with a large towel or sheet. Covering the trap helps to keep the cat calm. The trap must be covered when you arrive at Operation PETS.
7) All ferals will have their left ear tipped while anesthetized for surgery. Ear tipping is a well-known identification used by animal control agencies and veterinarians to identify that a feral cat has been sterilized and vaccinated and has a caregiver.
8) If you ARE NOT experienced in working with feral cats and do not have a trap, please contact Feral Cat FOCUS at 1-888-902-9717 (toll free) or visit www.feralcatfocus.org for information regarding the proper long term management of feral colonies, borrowing traps, trapping tips, etc.
9) Please review our Feral Cat Protocol before calling for an appointment.
10) Completed Maddie's Feral Surgery Form for each feral cat (print form here)
