Eligibility & Services for Our TNR Clinic
Who Qualifies? We’re here for community and feral cats only—any unowned feline in need. If it’s not your pet (even if it’s a familiar face hanging around your yard), it qualifies for our life-changing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. No questions asked—just compassion in action.
What We Provide: Every cat receives top-tier care at no extra cost:
Rabies Vaccination – Essential protection against a deadly threat
FVRCP Vaccination – Safeguards against common feline viruses
Long-Acting Pain Injection – Ensures a comfortable, speedy recovery
Our Signature Mark: Ear tipping (a quick, humane snip of the ear tip) identifies sterilized cats at a glance, helping us enforce humane population control and prevent repeat intakes.
Fasting Guidelines:
To ensure a safe surgery, cats should not eat or drink after midnight the night before. However, if bait (food) was used to lure the cat into the trap, no need to worry—this is a common and acceptable practice in TNR efforts.
Transport Requirements:
For the safety of our dedicated staff, we can only accept cats in humane traps—no carriers, please. This helps prevent escapes and injuries during intake.
Health & Humane Decisions:
If a cat arrives showing signs of illness, our veterinary team will perform a compassionate assessment. In rare cases where the condition deems surgery too risky, we reserve the right to humanely euthanize to prevent suffering.
Pickup Protocol:
Recovery times vary, so we’ll call you once your cat is fully awake and ready (usually within 24 hours). Prompt pickup is essential—failure to retrieve in a timely manner may result in exclusion from future VFCC events to respect our limited resources.
Recovery Commitment:
By redeeming a VFCC voucher, you agree to provide a supportive recovery environment. Post-anesthesia, cats struggle to regulate body temperature and are vulnerable to overheating—always place them in a cool, shaded spot to safeguard their lives.
Pro Tips for Comfort:
Line the trap bottom with a potty pad or clean towel for easy cleanup and hygiene.
Keep the cat in a quiet, enclosed area, covered with a light sheet or towel to reduce stress and light exposure.
Your adherence ensures every cat heals with dignity. Thank you for your partnership in this vital work! 🐾
We’re here for community and feral cats only—any unowned feline in need. If it’s not your pet (even if it’s a familiar face hanging around your yard), it qualifies for our life-changing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. No questions asked—just compassion in action.
For the well-being of our tiniest patients, kittens must meet these gentle guidelines before surgery:
- Minimum Weight: 3 pounds
- Minimum Age: 12 weeks
This ensures a smooth, low-risk procedure, setting them up for a vibrant, healthy future. Questions? Reach out—we’re here to help! 🐾
Transparent & Affordable Care: What to Expect
Clinic Fees: Just $30 for most services—covering the essentials without the extras. Our Commitment: Visalia Feral Cat Coalition covers the remaining costs, ensuring full, comprehensive care with zero hidden fees or surprises. Peace of mind for you, life-changing support for the cats.
Compassionate Care for Expectant Mothers
We deeply respect the miracle of life and strive to avoid interrupting pregnancies whenever possible. However, early-stage pregnancies can be challenging to detect during intake.
Our Policy: If a cat shows clear signs of advanced pregnancy, we prioritize her well-being by postponing the spay surgery. This decision safeguards the mother, as the procedure can be overly taxing on her system and pose significant recovery risks.
Instead, we focus on supportive care—monitoring, nutrition, and safe release—until it’s safer to proceed post-kitten. Your understanding helps us honor every cat’s journey with kindness. 🐾
- Extra Carrier: Bring along an additional empty trap or secure carrier. This dedicated space allows the cat to rest undisturbed during the initial recovery phase, minimizing stress and promoting healing.
- Prioritize Safety: If trapped cats pose an immediate risk to one another (such as aggression or injury), release one promptly to avert harm.
Trapping can sometimes feel like a waiting game—cats are clever, cautious creatures, after all. If your efforts don’t yield a capture right away, don’t worry; persistence pays off
We only accept cash
We appreciate your flexibility and commitment to our TNR mission! Unfortunately, spots are non-transferable to maintain accountability and smooth operations. However, if circumstances change, simply let us know as soon as possible—we’ll happily reassign them to another dedicated caregiver on our waitlist.
Yes, we’d be delighted to provide you with humane traps at no charge—because every cat deserves a second chance. Head to our contact page at visaliaferalcatcoalition.org/contact and submit a simple request. We’ll respond swiftly with availability, instructions, and pickup options.
Upon surgery completion, you’ll receive a detailed recovery instruction sheet—tailored tips and timelines to guide you through the 24-48 hour healing window, ensuring your feral cat emerges stronger and ready for release. We’ve got you covered every whisker of the way! 🐾
Spotting illness in a feral cat can be heartbreaking, but catching it early is a lifesaver. Please let us know at check-in. Our TNR clinic prioritizes the cat’s health above all—if a trapped feline shows signs of sickness (like lethargy, discharge, wounds, or respiratory issues), we’ll conduct a gentle assessment upon arrival.
Our Compassionate Protocol:
- Immediate Evaluation: Our veterinary team will examine the cat on-site. If treatment is feasible, we’ll provide supportive care like fluids or antibiotics where possible.
- Postponing Surgery: For serious conditions, we’ll recommend professional veterinary attention first to stabilize the cat before rescheduling spay/neuter. This ensures the best outcome and reduces risks.
Yes, the cats get a FVRCP combo vaccine and a rabies vaccine
How long should I keep the cat after surgery?
For most ferals, a gentle 24-hour recovery period is all that’s needed before a safe return to their territory—giving them time to shake off anesthesia and mend quietly. We’ll always notify you if extended holding (e.g., 48 hours) is recommended based on the cat’s condition, ensuring the best outcome.
Pro Tip for Comfort: House the cat in a serene, enclosed space, draped with a soft towel or sheet to reduce stress and light exposure. This simple step supports a swift, soothing heal. 🐾
Absolutely—proper hydration and nutrition are key to a swift, comfortable healing process. We recommend these gentle, low-stress methods to keep things safe for both you and the cat:
- Water First: Always provide fresh water immediately upon settling the trap in a quiet space. Place a shallow dish near the back if accessible, or simply drip it in via the top grate for easy sipping.
- Wet Food Delivery: Once the cat is fully alert (typically 4-6 hours post-surgery), drop small portions of enticing wet food (like canned tuna or pate) through the top of the trap. This minimizes handling and disturbance.
- Special Note for Kittens: Our little ones require frequent, smaller feedings—stick to the drop-in method every 4-6 hours to support their growing bodies without overwhelming them.
Pro Tip: For added ease, consider using a cat trap fork (available affordably online or through us). It creates a safe barrier, allowing you to separate the cat briefly for secure feeding, watering, and cage cleaning—keeping everyone stress-free.
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