FAQ

TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) is a humane and cost-effective way to control feral cat populations. It reduces taxpayer costs from $16 billion for euthanizing cats to $9 billion by relying on volunteers and rescue groups. TNR saves money and ensures the well-being of feral cats, offering a compassionate alternative to euthanasia.

1) MAKE A PLAN BEFORE YOU TRAP!! 👉 Start trap training if possible. 👉 Find out where you can take him. 👉 Fresno TNR - private message through Facebook messenger a BRIEF message to an admin; Cassie Garcia / Savannah Hill / Brandi Sherman. $30 includes rabies, FVRCP vaccines and ear tip. $45 without ear tip You can post and ask for a sponsor if you can’t afford the cost. 👉 CVFIX - No Longer Taking Appointments - Central Valley Spay Neuter - CVFIX.org(https://cvfix.org/) 👉 SPCA - ccspca.com(https://ccspca.com/) - $80 for ferals, proof of rabies required or they will vaccinate for an additional fee. Appointments are booked about a month out. 👉 H.O.P.E - hopeaf.com(hopeaf.com) - Appointments usually available within a week. $60 for ferals (currently, but may increase back to $130) includes rabies and ear tip. $75 for owned/friendly, surgery only. You can request ear tip for a friendly for $5 additional cost. 👉 Cat House on the Kings - cathouseonthekings.com(https://www.cathouseonthekings.com/index.php) Get vouchers online for $30, includes ear tip. Sometimes grants also include vaccines. If you register as a trapper to do colonies and use trapper vouchers, ear tip is mandatory. You make the appointment at their cooperating vets. They are often booked a month out. 👉 Private vet. Call for prices and to confirm that they will do feral cats. PLEASE VERIFY ALL PRICES YOURSELF 2) YOU’VE MADE AN APPOINTMENT, OR GOTTEN APPROVAL FROM FRESNO TNR Trap the cat. There are lots of videos on YouTube on how to TNR. Then ask questions on Fresno TNR’s Facebook page.(https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.fresnotnr.org) Never leave the trap unattended! Other animals and people can harm a trapped cat! 3) YOU’VE CAUGHT HIM! 👉 Trap must be covered and kept in a secure, climate controlled place, away from other animals. 👉 Open the trap door 1” to slip in a paper plate with wet food mixed with a little water to keep him hydrated. Don’t feed after midnight the day before surgery. 👉 Zip tie the door closed when not feeding. Cats can escape and harm themselves doing so. 👉 Keep the trap on pee pads or newspaper - it will get messy. 4) DROP OFF/PICK UP CAT WHEN AND WHERE YOU ARE TOLD TO. If transportation is a problem, figure it out ahead of time. If you are going through Fresno TNR, you can ask for help on the Facebook page. If you are a no-show, a valuable vet appointment is wasted!

This group (Fresno T.N.R.) (https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.fresnotnr.org/) 👉 If you are looking for an appointment for a FRIENDLY cat, join the Appointments Last Minute chat. Keep notifications on and be ready to put the cat in a carrier and go at a moment’s notice, typically early morning Monday-Friday. If approved to bring your cat, you will need to meet ASAP at the location provided. Cats MUST be in a HARD-SIDED carrier. 👉 If you are looking for an appointment for one or two FERAL cats (i.e., a cat that will run away if approached and bite/scratch/hiss if you attempt to handle), please send a direct message to an admin (Brandi Can, Savannah Hill, Cassie Garcia) to coordinate. You will need to trap and transport the cat(s) when asked. Feral cats MUST be dropped off in a TRAP, not a carrier. Cats will receive an eartip. If you are not able to trap/transport and do not have a friend/family member/neighbor who can assist you, then you will need to make a post on the page and see if anyone is available to help. 👉 If you are looking for appointments for several FERAL cats, AND you own a trap, AND you are willing to trap and transport the cats when requested, we can add you to our colony chat. The people in this chat receive priority whenever we know in advance that a large number of appointments will be available. Cats will receive an eartip.. All cats being fixed through this chat MUST be dropped off in a TRAP, not a carrier. 👉 If you are looking for an appointment for a PREGNANT cat, please take photos and/or video that clearly show the cat’s belly. Send those photos/video to Savannah Hill via direct message. Savannah coordinates urgent spays for pregnant cats and will do her best to help you get the cat spayed before the cat gives birth. The cost for cats being fixed through Fresno T.N.R. is $30 per cat for feral/community cats receiving an eartip and $45 for cats not receiving an eartip. This price also includes a rabies and FVRCP vaccine. If you are not able to afford the cost, we ask that you pay what you can and that you make a post asking for sponsorship on our Facebook page. This means that you are asking for someone to make a donation that covers the cost. All sponsorship posts should include: 👉 the number of cats 👉 the cost per cat 👉 one or more clear photos of the cat(s) needing sponsorship 👉 THIS LINK to our website where people can pay the sponsorship cost: https://www.fresnotnr.org/donate(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.fresnotnr.org/donate%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1737343908155286%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw01iMwEUncCYbaDSgW61Il_&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1737343908166785&usg=AOvVaw1jW38PieIoz3m33BU73d0R) 👉 a reminder that donations should be made with a note of “sponsor for [your name]”. If you are unable to find sponsorship, you can also volunteer your time to help clean traps and transfer cages in lieu of payment. Please message an admin for details. Cvfix Currently Not Accepting Appointments - Appointments can be booked on the cvfix website. The cost is $20 per cat, with a limit of three cats per household without prior approval. Please contact them if you are trying to address a colony/hoarder type of situation, and they will do their best to accommodate your needs. New appointments are posted on the cvfix website every Sunday afternoon. Note that spay appointments tend to fill up VERY fast, so you will need to be quick about booking one once they become available. https://cvfix.org/ (https://cvfix.org/) H.O.P.E. Animal Foundation Appointments can be booked on the H.O.P.E. Animal Foundation website. The cost is $75 per cat for friendly cats and $60 (for now, but may go back up to $130 at any time.) per cat for feral cats. H.O.P.E runs frequent promotions for lower-cost spay/neuter for friendly cats. Check their website and Facebook page regularly to find relevant coupons and take advantage of those discounts. https://hopeaf.com/spay-and-neuter/(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://hopeaf.com/spay-and-neuter/%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1737343908156148%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw2eERbMz_wX57KXhZQ6sI8L&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1737343908167449&usg=AOvVaw3aL_TgVYXru5z3KbXGHGiH) Central Valley SPCA Appointments can be booked on the Central Valley SPCA website. The cost is $75 per cat for friendly cats and $80 per cat for feral cats. https://ccspca.com/spay-neuter-surgery/ (https://ccspca.com/spay-neuter-surgery/)

You can find affordable vaccines, deworming, and wellness exams at: 👉 Valley Animal Center: Offers low-cost wellness exams by appointment and vaccines/deworming during walk-in clinic hours. Pets over 4 months need a rabies vaccine, which requires a wellness exam. Visit their website for current pricing and availability. 👉 H.O.P.E. Animal Foundation: Provides low-cost wellness exams, vaccines, and deworming by appointment. Check their website for current pricing and availability. 👉 Central California SPCA: Offers low-cost vaccines, deworming, microchipping, and wellness exams. Visit their website for current pricing and availability. 👉 Fresno TNR: Offers low-cost FVRCP vaccines for $10, Flea Treatment $10 (for 1 month and you must bring your cat's weight) Deworming for $10, Microchiping for $20, Monday through Thursday 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Financial Veterinary Assistance Resources: Angels for Animals: https://www.angelsforanimals.org/veterinary-services(https://www.angelsforanimals.org/veterinary-services) Brown Dog Foundation: https://www.browndogfoundation.org/ask-for-help(https://www.browndogfoundation.org/ask-for-help) Frankie’s Friends: https://www.frankiesfriends.org/apply-for-assistance-3(https://www.frankiesfriends.org/apply-for-assistance-3) Saving Gracie - An Angel Fund for Pets: https://www.saving-gracie.org/angel-fund-apply-for-help/(https://www.saving-gracie.org/angel-fund-apply-for-help/) The Pet Fund: https://thepetfund.com/for-pet-owners/financial-assistance(https://thepetfund.com/for-pet-owners/financial-assistance) The Mosby Foundation: https://themosbyfoundation.org/apply-for-aid/(https://themosbyfoundation.org/apply-for-aid/) Red Rover: https://redrover.org/relief/urgent-care-grants/(https://redrover.org/relief/urgent-care-grants/) Help a Pet: https://www.help-a-pet.org/apply.html(https://www.help-a-pet.org/apply.html) Hope Mending Hearts: http://www.hopemendinghearts.net/grant-application/(http://www.hopemendinghearts.net/grant-application/) Paws 4 a Cure: https://www.paws4acure.org/askforhelp.php(https://www.paws4acure.org/askforhelp.php) The Onyx and Breezy Foundation: https://www.paws4acure.org/askforhelp.php(https://www.paws4acure.org/askforhelp.php) Violets Friends: https://oscarnewman.com/pages/violets-friends-applicant-pre-requisites(https://oscarnewman.com/pages/violets-friends-applicant-pre-requisites) Pet Assistance Inc.: https://www.petassistanceinc.org/financialaid(https://www.petassistanceinc.org/financialaid)

Some veterinary hospitals in Fresno include: 👉 Blue Pearl(https://bluepearlvet.com/hospital/fresno-ca/) 👉 Animal Medical Clinic(https://www.animalmedfresno.com/), 👉 Abby Pet Hospital(https://www.abbypethospital.com/) 👉 24/7 Pet Vets(https://247petvets.mydex.com/).　 Check the list of veterinary hospitals near you. Click here to learn more (https://valleyanimal.org/veterinary-hospitals/)

You can reach out to local rescues like Cali Cats Animal Rescue, Cat House on the Kings, Friends of Madera Animal Shelter, Gabby’s Animal Rescue, Kirkland Foundation, and Whiskers, Tails & Ferals. Check their Facebook pages or websites for contact info. Mention if you can foster the cat(s) as it increases your chances of getting help. If these rescues can't assist, try contacting rescues outside the Central Valley, like in the Bay Area or out of state.

Yes, we support spaying pregnant cats. Our program focuses on preventing more kittens from being born and suffering. If you need help, send a private Facebook message to Savannah Hill w(https://www.facebook.com/savannah.hill.5817)ith pictures or videos of the cat's belly. She will assess the urgency and help get the cat spayed as soon as possible. Cats can get pregnant while nursing, so it's crucial to act quickly. Pregnant spays can be done at any time during the gestation period. For more information on why we advocate for Spay Abort, click here.(https://fresnotnr.org/about-5-1#spay-abort)

If the kitten appears fat, clean, and healthy, please leave it alone. It is very likely that the kitten’s mother is nearby, and she is already providing adequate care. Unless you yourself have the knowledge, supplies, and availability to hand-raise that kitten for at least the next several weeks, it’s best to let mom do her job. This page from Ally Cat Allies provides an excellent overview of how to determine whether kittens need human help or whether they’re fine where they are: https://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/finding-kittens-outdoors/(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/finding-kittens-outdoors/%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1737343908158269%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw2-3IeZfF-2oluSu19ihVdg&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1737343908168650&usg=AOvVaw2kGqUEOxg5Xk6v54rJTwqW) If the kitten appears visibly sick, dirty, or is in clear distress (e.g., is cold to the touch, has been crying loudly for several hours with no sign of a mother cat), you may need to intervene. Be prepared to care for the kitten at least short-term while you search for more experienced help. This will include keeping the kitten warm via an external heat source; stimulating it to go to the bathroom; and feeding it every 2-6 hours, including overnight (the exact frequency depends on the kitten’s age). NEVER feed a kitten cow’s milk, soy milk, almond milk, or any other kind of milk not specifically formulated for kittens - kittens MUST be feed kitten replacement formula, which can be purchased at Walmart or pet specialty stores like Petco or PetSmart. It is also HIGHLY recommended that you look up Kitten Lady’s website and YouTube channel. She has in-depth tutorials and just about everything related to kitten help. Some particularly relevant resources include: 👉 How to determine a kitten’s age: https://www.kittenlady.org/age(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.kittenlady.org/age%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1737343908158835%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw3597hWPaHP99JomImWgu3x&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1737343908169033&usg=AOvVaw3N6lKcOcqgHR8N7NWIVAe0) 👉 How to keep a baby kitten warm: https://www.kittenlady.org/heatsources(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.kittenlady.org/heatsources%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1737343908159077%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw3KwxoFGKLq8z0jcV-XtB0T&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1737343908169168&usg=AOvVaw1aLcA9hRI6Hg3CxulTtdRm) 👉 How to syringe feed a baby kitten: https://www.kittenlady.org/syringefeeding(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.kittenlady.org/syringefeeding%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1737343908159293%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw1-fsp1ijAv8dccUCGijxMH&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1737343908169298&usg=AOvVaw2WzUC0sUjgo2odAM4-M1sF) 👉 How to help a baby kitten pee or poop: https://www.kittenlady.org/stimulating(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.kittenlady.org/stimulating%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1737343908159585%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw1UjvdU6I4b_mTIkmx3d1oJ&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1737343908169422&usg=AOvVaw0OlNvYGaJR8706Oln2yfoE) 👉 How to check for and treat fleas on a baby kitten: https://www.kittenlady.org/fleas(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.kittenlady.org/fleas%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1737343908159823%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw1Qs6c6UEoTlvlgkVRvU1OO&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1737343908169540&usg=AOvVaw2hklAHcknFFQCbykOTlcr7) 👉 How (and why) to weigh a baby kitten: https://www.kittenlady.org/weighing(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.kittenlady.org/weighing%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1737343908160069%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw3acX35x9wOeoIkNQuyXWzN&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1737343908169674&usg=AOvVaw3btfl_txs3ZwJmNKTx6HF6) For additional resources on kittens and how to care for them, please visit the Fresno T.N.R. website: https://www.fresnotnr.org/kittens(https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.fresnotnr.org/kittens%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1737343908160312%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw0yDDVzpQU1n1VQoc2ub1AC&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1737343908169804&usg=AOvVaw239ueYtiIcfJQg7HqfpahY)

For any jurisdiction call and report to 311 to report the body for pickup. Fresno City limits: Take the body to Fresno Animal Center at 5277 E Airways Blvd, Fresno, CA 93727. Fresno County: Take the body to Fresno Humane Animal Service

👉 Fresno TNR(/home) Purchase directly at the facility 👉 Tractor Supply(https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/countyline-quick-set-catch-release-live-animal-traps-2-pack) Available for purchase 👉 Cat House on the Kings(https://www.cathouseonthekings.com/index.php) (Refundable deposit required) 👉 Whitie's Pets(https://whitiespets.com/) (Refundable deposit required) 👉 Tomahawk Live Trap(https://livetrap.com/traps/feral-cat-traps-and-accessories/) (Use this code for 10% off: DCBESTFRIENDS256) IMPORTANT: Collapsible traps and plastic carries are not recommended. For Amazon or Harbor Freight traps, refer to FAQ 14 It is recommended to zip tie doors once you have the cat trapped.

FAQ for Trapping https://youtu.be/AL01jKFe-vI

Start with trap training, which helps the cat see the trap as safe and familiar instead of something to avoid. Secure the trap door open using zip ties, or string so it cannot close. Feed the cat near the trap, then gradually move the food closer over several days. Once the cat is comfortable, place the food just inside the entrance, then farther back, and eventually all the way at the back of the trap. This process can take a week or more depending on the cat. The goal is for the cat to confidently walk all the way inside the trap to eat. Once the cat is doing this consistently, remove the support and properly set the trap using the same food they are used to.

We do not recommend these traps, but if you have them, use cardboard and zip ties to make them safer. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/51e5ca_b2f7dc7c789c4d7786bd1e27fd93116e/360p/mp4/file.mp4

Follow proper cleaning guidelines to ensure safety and hygiene. Click here to learn more (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-_ydsQxlE1f7s_u4r6XTNnn2bQglq2FMOLP7vHWnk7s/edit?tab=t.0)

California laws require pet cats to be spayed or neutered in many areas, mandate rabies vaccinations, and include restrictions on animal cruelty and abandonment. Click here to learn more (https://www.animallaw.info/statute/ca-cats-consolidated-cat-laws)

A community cat is a free-roaming cat that lives outdoors and is not owned by a single person, but is often cared for by people in the area. These cats may be friendly or feral (unsocialized to people). They typically live in neighborhoods, alleys, parks, or businesses, and rely on the environment and local caregivers for food and shelter. Community cats are not “lost” pets. They are part of an outdoor population, and the most effective and humane way to manage that population is through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). This stops breeding, reduces nuisance behaviors like fighting and spraying, and improves the cats’ overall health while allowing them to remain in the place they know.

Flea treatments for cats include topical (spot-on) solutions or oral medications. Always use products specifically designed for cats. How to Use Diatomaceous Earth for Fleas from Chewy.com (https://www.chewy.com/education/cat/flea-and-tick/is-diatomaceous-earth-a-natural-flea-remedy?psafe_param=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12473032557&utm_content=118814524259)

Appointments are required. To book, message an admin (Brandi, Cassie, or Savannah) to check availability. Pets should have at least part of their FVRCP vaccination series before surgery. Refer to FAQ 2 for complete instructions

No. Walk-ins and same-day appointments are not available. There are currently no local clinics offering walk-in spay or neuter surgeries. Valley Animal Center does offer low-cost walk-in vaccines.