CCAW Feline Spay/Neuter Program
The CCAW Spay/Neuter program is a combination of our TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) Program and our Feline Spay/Neuter Voucher Program. The TNR Program’s goal is to reduce the number of community (feral) cats in the area and the Voucher Program provides an affordable way to get inside/outside cats fixed.
Feline Spay/Neuter Voucher Program
If the cats are indoors/outdoors pets, CCAW will issue vouchers to the caregiver and then the caregiver makes an appointment with the vet for surgery. On the morning of the appointment, the caregiver will transport the cat(s) to the vet in vet-approved cages/carriers and then give the vet staff the vouchers and pay the small co-pay fee directly to the vet. CCAW may be available to help with transportation to and from the vet, if necessary. In order to qualify for the ‘low cost’ voucher, CCAW requires that a small tip be removed from one ear by the vet while the cat is under anesthesia. This provides a way to tell that the cat has been fixed if it is ever taken into a vet in the future. If the caregiver does not want the tip removed from one ear, there will be an additional fee charged as outlined on the voucher.
TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) Program
If the cat is a ‘community’ or feral cat, a CCAW volunteer takes traps along with CCAW Spay/Neuter Vouchers to the cat caregiver and explains how to train cats to eat in the traps. This training eventually leads to the capture of the cats for a TNR appointment with the local vet. Typically, the cats are trapped the day before the vet appointment and need to be kept in a warm, safe place overnight and for two nights after the surgery so that they can recuperate.
On the morning of the appointment, the caregiver takes the cats and the voucher(s) to the vet. The cat caregiver pays the co-pay for each cat to the vet. The small co-pay from caregivers helps defray the total cost of surgery for each cat. This service is available to all community cat caregivers in the Wayne County area.
While at the vet, cats are check for illnesses or injuries and given a rabies vaccination, and while under sedation, one of the cats’ ears is ‘tipped’ to identify it has been fixed. Caregivers pick up the cats afterward and keep them in a warm and safe place until they have recovered (usually 2 nights) and can then be returned to their colony.
Color Country Animal Welfare cares about the health of all community felines and work to support caregivers in providing their cat the care they deserve. If you have any questions, please call us at 435-425-2050 or email us at info@colorcountryanimalwelfare.org.
