How to find a spay/release program for cats in your area?

[January Joy]

I have seen several people mention that they have spay/release programs for cats in their area, so maybe someone with more expertise can help...I have done a bit of Googling, but the only results I get are for New York City, which is over two hours away from where the cats are, and for Huntington, NY, which is about the same distance away.

Basically, here is my story. About two years ago, a female calico cat showed up at my dad's house. His fiance started feeding her, so she's stuck around long enough to have three litters. Only two of her offspring still come around, not including the 4-5 week old kittens she just had, but both of these two are females. They are not what I would consider feral - You can get near them and feed them and even sit close to them, but only one will let you touch her.

I'm pretty sure I could catch and keep the friendly one - I just have to get a cage. However, I'm concerned about the others, as we've all come to care about these kitties - we'd much rather see them in homes if possible (there are coyotes, most of all, but also traffic) but we also don't want their population getting out of control either.

We have tried calling the local SPCA. We were basically given an attitude that "they have too much to worry about already", but they said they would send someone out with cages within three days. Nobody called, and nobody came. I'm not sure if we should try again and pester them, or try finding another place. I am told that these places for free spay/neuter of ferals exist, but I don't know how to find one close to me.

Any help will be much appreciated!

[hyenacub]

You might call the Humane Society, whatever the nearest one is, and ask them for help.  I imagine they could tell you if there are any places near you where you could either bring cats to them or have them come.  Good for you wanting to do this!  And good luck!

[NoDivision]

Where exactly are you located? I'd love to help you search.

[January Joy]

I'm in NJ, but my dad's house (where they have made their "home") is in zip code 12540 in New York. Thank you sooo much!

[kaoskat]

I would try calling your local shelters and rescues. They would know if the TNR program is available near you.

[melodys_angel]

Try actually going ot your SPCA in person. Its much more different then talking to someone on the phone.

The other thing you can do is go into a few local pet supply shops. If they are owned by independant people theres a good chance someone will know about something and will want to help you outwith it.  Its through one of these where I found out about a local thing where people will look after small dogs until they find new homes

[Ponytails]

I asked local vets and such, and also google searched "pet spay/neuter release "insert your city/state here"" and "Trap neuter release (TNR) program "your city/state".

One of the local clinics had an actual printout list of all the TRN and pet clinics on Long Island NY with info on how to reach them all.  It was cool.

*edit* I actually JUST went through that.  A friend of mine had a semi-feral momma cat who has had 2 litters.  The current litter has only 2 kittens.  We were able to rent a have-a-heart trap (ie cats get in they don't get out) and trap momma and both kittens.  Momma is at a local rescue center, she is being neutered and then will be re-released.  My husband and I took in both of the kittiens, but at 8 weeks old they are still very human-shy.  We have them in an isolation cage in their own room in our house.  We plan to tame them, and the clean/fix them and see how our grown cats cope with them.  If our cats accept them, we'll keep both kitties.  Otherwise, we will find them good homes.

I will say this was a LOT more complicated (and costly) then I thought it would be.  Momma cat has to have had no milk for 2 weeks before you can neuter her, so she has to be seperated from the babies AND kept away form other cats to prevent pregnancy.  Not to mention taming the babies.    This is my first experience with this, but my MIL does it all the time.

[Breyer600]

We found one near here through a local shelter.  There's also this website that may be able to provide some information: http://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=191

[Ponytails]

More great info:

TNR Info, how to find one!
http://www.saveacat.org/programs.html
http://www.saveacat.org/catlinks.html

FAQ!
http://www.saveacat.org/faq.html

Taming the kittens:
http://www.saveacat.org/tamingferals.html

[Eviecorn]

Good links, Ponytails.  Maybe there will be someone that can help.  My local shelter (not affiliated with HS or ASPCA) often does mobile low-cost spay/neuter drives.  Maybe branch out to other shelters as well?