FERAL CAT POLICY

All feral cats will be surgically altered unless they are considered too ill to undergo surgery. All clients responsible for feral cats deemed too ill to undergo surgery will be contacted immediately and informed of our decision by our surgical staff or Clinic Manager. All feral cats deemed too ill to undergo surgery will be returned to the client unless the client requests euthanasia. All feral cats who are euthanized under client orders will be cremated at the client's expense.

 

All feral cats who are healthy enough to undergo surgery will be altered and returned to the client without exception.

 

To ensure the safety of all animals in our care, the safety of Golden State Humane Society (GSHS) staff, and the efficiency of our high-volume flow, all feral cats/kittens must be securely contained in humane traps before admittance without exception. We will not accept multiple feral cats/kittens in a single trap.

 

Any cats brought to us in carriers or crates are not considered feral by GSHS and will not be accepted under our feral cat program.​

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Feral kittens must be at least 2 months old and weigh a minimum of 2 pounds.

 

All feral cats are to be clearly ear-tipped without exception. Ear tips are 3/8-1/2 inch standard. Ear-tipping helps identify cats who have already been spayed or neutered. 

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GSHS defines a feral cat as un-socialized, untouchable, fearful of humans, and un-adoptable. 

 

Stray cats who are socialized, unafraid of humans, can be handled and/or placed into a carrier or crate, and are adoptable will not be accepted as feral.

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Our surgical staff is trained to differentiate between feral and socialized cats. If a socialized cat is admitted as a feral, you will be charged full price for their surgery. 

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FERAL FRIDAYS TRAPPERS

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Please do not bring socialized cats to our Feral Fridays events. If you can touch the cat, they do not qualify for Feral Fridays and take coveted space for genuinely feral cats who need help. Sadly, we have had many people and rescues bring pet cats to our events to take advantage of our free service and have had to start enforcing our policy. Our staff will assess all cats before check-in, and if any are considered socialized, we will charge full price.