I Have Outdoor (Free Roaming/Feral) Cat Problems!

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Spay and Neuter is an effective means of keeping the outdoor cat overpopulation in check. If you or people you know are feeding outdoor cats, you or they must have them sterlized (FEED=FIX), because female cats reproduce more frequently and produce larger litters when relying on a human food source. You will quickly get yourself in trouble with over population if you are feeding and not fixing.

Please do not drop off trapped feral cats at the shelter - this does not solve the overpopulation or nuisance problems you experience from having too many unsterlized free roaming cats. New cats from the fringes will simply move in to replace the cats you've removed from the area of resources. The new cats won't be sterlized, and they will start over populating with kittens. Instead, if the existing cats are sterlized and put back, they will keep other cats from moving in, and they WON'T be reproducing, thus reducing the number of cats in the environment. Cats are also great mousers and rodent control.

If you have issues with nuisance behaviors, CLICK HERE for solutions to these problems. There are many techniques available to eliminate nuisance behaviors. Call us to consult on a custom solution to your problems (760-335-6767).

If you need assistance with spaying, neutering, or managing outdoor cats, we are available to provide education and lend you traps.

Basic Instructions:

Provide a feeding schedule for the cats to gain their trust. Feed once a day, roughly the same time everyday. Put down only the amount of food eaten in one sitting. Lift food when finished. Do NOT free feed or leave food behind. Feed for about a week before trying to trap.
Set the traps with food in the same position as the cats are normally fed (line traps with newspaper, and cover with a towel except for the ends).
Do not put food inside the trap in a dish, put the food on a piece of cardboard or newspaper and press the wire bottom of the trap onto the food (this allows you to remove food from the trap by 11:00 p.m.).
Once cat is in trap, cover ends of trap and remove to a safe, quiet place. WARNING: during summer ensure that the traps are ventilated and in a cool place.
NEVER open the trap without a trap divider in place.
NEVER release a trapped cat without taking it to be spayed or neutered UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. Call us if you need help.
Put pee pads or a plastic trash bag with newspaper on it under the trap or use a trap divider to add a litter box to the trap (Fussy Cat canned cat food boxes fit perfectly inside traps as a litter box).
Make sure all food is removed from the cat/trap by 11:00 p.m.
Provide water if you have a trap divider or if you have the cat in the trap more than overnight.
Arrive at Animal Samaritans by 7:30 a.m. (Link to their info & address).
Only 2 feral cats are allowed per address per day.
Cats MUST be in a humane feral cat trap - NO OTHER TYPES OF ENCLOSURES OR CARRIERS ALLOWED.
Only ONE cat allowed per trap.
Pay $25 to fix feral, this includes a rabies shot and a ear-tip to signify it has been fixed.
Optional: pay $18 for a pain shot - we recommend this for the females only.
Pick up cat after 2:30 p.m. (note Animal Samaritans closes at 5:00 p.m. there is a boarding fee for $35 per night for each cat not picked up before closing).
Hold for 24-48 hours for recuperation in the trap (keep trap covered and placed on pee pads). Provide food and water (use of a trap divider is recommended). Make sure the cat is eating/drinking and eliminating normally.
Return the cat to where you trapped it.

Additional feral cat/community cat resources:

Alley Cat Allies
Best Friends Animal Society - Helping Community Cats
Vox Felina