How to Use Our Services for
Feral and Outdoor Stray Cats

FCCO is a spay/neuter clinic for cats and does not offer full-range veterinary services.

We provide safe, high-quality care, complete with pain medication. All surgeries are performed by licensed veterinarians who practice high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter procedures. We are able to offer these donation-based services for feral and outdoor stray cats because of the support we receive from the community.

  1. Fill out the Spay/Neuter Form or give us a call at 503-797-2606. Our office is open Tuesday through Friday. Clinics are typically on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

  2. Schedule appointment: We will schedule you for an appointment to spay or neuter your cat(s). Please note that we do not have clinics every day and that you must have an appointment in order to come to one of our clinics. Please DO NOT trap cats without an appointment.

  3. Get traps: All cats must be brought to FCCO clinics in a humane live trap. We will give you a time to pick up traps from our clinic office or from another trap depot closer to you. You will receive one trap per cat scheduled. Each trap requires a refundable deposit, payable by cash, check or credit card. To see why using a trap is more successful than a carrier click here.

  4. Familiarize cats: Get the cats used to the traps for a few days. Remove the sliding back door and place food near the entrance, and then another time inside the trap. Ideally you can do this for 4-5 days prior to actual trapping so the cats are less aware of the trap and see it simply as the place to get their food. This step will help you have more success when trapping. See our extensive trapping instructions.

  5. Set traps: Set the traps in the afternoon/evening before your scheduled appointment and ensure that all trapping is completed by 10pm. It is important that adult cats do not eat after this time as they need to fast before surgery. Place the cats in a safe, warm place away from the weather and any other animals overnight. Ensure that the traps are covered at all times, as this helps keep the cats calm.

  6. Appointment day: Bring the cats to FCCO the next morning for your scheduled spay/neuter appointment. The cats need to be picked up the same afternoon at a time given when the cats are dropped off.

 
 

Ear-tipped Feral Cat

  • In addition to being spayed or neutered, each cat receives FVRCP (distemper) and rabies vaccines, flea and ear mite treatment as needed, and treatment for other minor medical conditions. Each cat will have his or her right ear tipped (see photo) for future identification.

  • Cats that appear to be suffering, as determined by a veterinarian, are tested for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV); all cats that test positive will be humanely euthanized. Cats may also be euthanized if they have another life-threatening condition.

  • After their surgery, the cats need to remain in their traps overnight to recover and to let their anesthesia wear off. If the cats appear alert and healthy the next morning then it is safe to return them and release them to where they were trapped. You will receive detailed information about the cats after-surgery care when you pick them up. (If you are relocating the cat please see Alley Cat Allies for procedures on how to successfully relocate the cats).