Spay and Neuter Services for Feral or Wild Cats
 Because feral cats cannot be safely handled like pet cats, the SHS Veterinary Clinic has special procedures in place for feral cat caretakers:
Drop offs Monday - Thursday
We do not require appointments for feral cats at our spay/neuter
clinic. We understand that feral cats cannot be trapped according to a
schedule. Typically, if they are dropped off before 10:00 am, they can
be sterilized the same day. However, because they are worked in to an
already booked schedule, there is the possibility that the cat will have
to be held overnight, at no additional cost. Our clinic is closed on
the weekend and holidays. To prevent the need to keep feral cats longer than
overnight, we do limit drop offs to Monday - Thursday.
Please help us by respecting the following guidelines
There are a limited number of unscheduled feral cat surgeries we can fit in each day. We want to avoid having trapped cats stay overnight and we want to avoid turning anyone away. Please follow these guidelines to ensure a smooth process for everyone:
- Remember that feral cats can only be dropped off Monday - Thursday.
- Kittens must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh at least 2 pounds in order to have surgery. If you are unsure of age, please be prepared that younger kittens will need to come back when old enough.
- The rule of thumb is, feral cats come in traps. If you can safely pick up a cat and place it in a travel carrier, it is not considered feral. Surgery for tame cats is by appointment only and tame cats cannot be accepted on a walk-in basis.
- Special
arrangements for large scale trapping (more than 3) can be made by contacting our
clinic office by e-mail
or by calling (864) 583-4805, ext. 115.
- You can help speed up your check-in process by downloading and completing the following forms. You will still need to wait in line along with everyone else, but you will avoid having to complete the information at check-in.
Regular low costs
Our regular low cost spay and neuter prices apply and include ear tipping, by request. Rabies and FVRCP
vaccinations are required, at an additional low cost of $13.00. Additional services are also available, such as fecal exams, ear mite checks, and testing for contagious diseases.
What is a feral cat?
A feral cat is one who is not socialized to people. They are often referred to as wild, because they demonstrate a distrust of people often seen in wild animals. Former pet cats left to fend for themselves can, over time, lose their socialization and become considered feral. Stray and abandoned cats continue to reproduce, with each new generation of kittens growing up without human interaction.
Truly feral cats do not find comfort in the company of people. They will typically run from human approach. If cornered they will scratch and bite.
While feral cats do not share the domesticity of the house cat, they reproduce just as readily when not spayed or neutered. In many cases, well meaning citizens put out food for these cats, who can be found in nearly every neighborhood. This food supports their ability to breed and raise more litters. One or two cats can quickly become dozens.
Often, local residents or business owners become increasingly frustrated by the growing presence of cats. Animal control is called in to trap and remove them, or residents trap the animals themselves and bring them to the shelter. These animals cannot be safely or humanely handled and housed in the same way as lost or unwanted pet cats. They are not adoptable as family pets.
In some situations, surrounding residents decide on a different approach to managing the local feral cat population. It is referred to as Trap-Neuter-Return. In the most comprehensive form of this method, cats are captured in humane traps and brought to a veterinary clinic where they are tested for contagious diseases such as feline leukemia, or feline aids. Cats who test positive are often euthanized in order to stop the spread of the disease. Cats who test negative are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and released back to their original location. A small tip of the cat's ear is surgically removed so that the cat can be identified as already having surgery. Colony managers monitor the cats for illness and injury, in which case they need to be re-trapped for medical attention. Caretakers also ensure regular access to food, water, and shelter.
On a different scale, a single resident will recognize that a new feral cat has shown up in their neighborhood and they will elect to trap and sterilize the cat so that it cannot add to our community's overpopulation.
The logistics, legalities, and ethics of both Trap-Neuter-Return programs and trap and euthanize programs are the subjects of heated and complicated debates. Determining what is best for the cats is challenging, but one thing is certain, allowing more feral cats to be born is not the answer. For these reasons, the SHS Veterinary Clinic has always welcomed the opportunity to sterilize feral cats. |
