FRIENDS OF FERAL CHESHIRE CATS

ABOUT US
Friends of Feral Cheshire Cats is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that administers a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for feral cats in the Cheshire, CT area. TNR is the humane trapping, sterilization/vaccination, and management plan for feral (wild or unsocialized cats). Visit our FAQ page for more information about feral cats and TNR.

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
Our program is staffed entirely by volunteers. We offer assistance to manage feral cat populations. In most circumstances, we do not have the resources to do the trapping ourselves, but can review requests for trapping on a case by case basis especially for those who are elderly or physically incapable of trapping.

-We arrange vet appointments.
-We assess the situation and provide guidance.
-We provide access to humane traps through our trap bank
(refundable deposit required).
-We provide step-by-step instructions for the humane trapping of feral cats.
-We provide transportation if resources allow.
-We provide financial assistance as resources allow.

All cats that go through our TNR program MUST be released to the area where they were humanely trapped. We do not provide relocation services or removal services for feral cats.

HOMELESS FRIENDLY CATS AND KITTENS
Friends of Feral Cheshire Cats does not operate a shelter. We offer a limited foster care network for homeless kittens and abandoned cats in our area, but cannot take in most cats. We can provide assistance in placing a cat or kitten you have found by providing financial assistance for spay/neutering, vaccinations and other medical treatment that will make the cat or kitten a better candidate for adoption. We can also provide a courtesy posting on our web site and assistance with the adoption process. Please contact us for details.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Our organization has been active in educating the children of our community about feral cats and the importance of spaying/neutering. We welcome requests to speak to school children and scouting troops.

Cathy DeMarco, Director of the H.O.P.E. Spay/Neuter Clinic in Waterbury, CT discusses programs at the clinic, including the feral cat program. The $45 fee includes surgery, rabies vaccination, ear-tip, and pain medication. Watch the video!

Spay and Neuter Your Pets!

FEBRUARY IS SPAY/NEUTER MONTH!
For several years, the last Tuesday in February has been designated as "Spay Day U.S.A.," and February has been chosen as Spay and Neuter Month by countless humane organizations and animal advocacy groups.

February was not chosen at random - spring is the time that most dogs and cats go into their first heat cycle, which can lead to thousands of unwanted litters. The idea behind Spay and Neuter Month is to have pets sterilized prior to their going into heat, thereby preventing unwanted litters. It is not easy to find good homes for all of these kittens and puppies and many are abused, abandoned or euthanized.

To encourage people to have their pets "fixed", H.O.P.E. Spay/Neuter clinic is holding an open house on Sunday, February 19, 2012. The public is invited to visit the facility to meet the staff, take a tour, enjoy refreshments and register for a door prize (including a free spay and a free neuter). Staff will be available to make appointments for spay/neuter surgeries.

The services at the clinic are available to anyone. The cost for a cat is $80 and includes the rabies and distemper vaccines. The pit bull program offers surgery for $75 (vaccines are additional). The pricing for other dogs is based on weight and is further discounted for those individuals who are receiving state or federal assistance.

The mission of H.O.P.E. Spay/Neuter Clinic is to end the over-population and euthanasia of unwanted, stray, abandoned, or feral cats and dogs. It provides accessible, affordable spay/neuter services to everyone.

For the last two years, the H.O.P.E. Spay/Neuter Clinic has run a successful spay and neutering program. During this time, they have performed over 11,100 spays and neuters, including more than 2,250 dog procedures, with almost 700 of those being pit bulls, and more than 8,750 cats, with over 1,900 of those being feral cats.

H.O.P.E. Spay/Neuter Clinic is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Those wishing to make tax-deductible donations may do so at the open house. The clinic is accepting monetary donations to defray costs, gift card to pet supply stores or Wal-Mart, paper towels, canned cat and dog food, high-efficiency laundry detergent, and liquid hand soap.

The clinic is located at 130 Scott Rd., A4, Waterbury, CT. For more information or to make an appointment, call 203-437-7955. For information about the clinic, please visit, www.hopect.org.

Matching Donation Challenge a Success!

Thank you to all who donated to the matching donation challenge! Our goal of raising $5,000 was met and matched by an anonymous donor! Thank you!!

EVENT CALENDAR

Doing TNR in Your Area? Want to Learn More about Feral Cats?
Visit Neighborhood Cats or Alley Cat Allies for information on how to trap and manage a colony of feral cats.

$45 Goes a Long Way!
A gift of $45 will spay one cat and prevent many feral births! Please donate to Friends of Feral Cheshire Cats and help us to make lives of feral cats better!