FAQ Top 20

What are the rules? Follow the rules. All cats must be fixed. Period. Spay and neuter is the priority, everything else is secondary. Do all cats need to be fixed? Yes. Every cat. No exceptions. What if the female cat is pregnant? She still needs to be spayed. No exceptions. If you disagree, this group is not for you. What is expected from colony caretakers? You are expected to TNR the entire colony. That means trapping, fixing, and returning every cat. Do feral or community cats need ear tips? Yes. All unowned community cats must be ear tipped. What does the clinic include and cost? $30 with ear tip or $45 without ear tip. All cats are spayed or neutered and given rabies and FVRCP vaccines. No exceptions. Are pets a priority? No. Pets are not the priority. Are kittens a priority? No. Kittens are not the priority. Can I bring my pet to be fixed? Only if they have at least one vaccine and are ready for their second vaccine. What is expected if I am doing TNR? You are expected to TNR the entire colony, ear tip all feral cats, and pull kittens under 3 months that can be tamed. You are responsible for fostering and rescue. Fresno TNR does not foster your kittens. I can’t afford to fix a cat. What do I do? Once approved for drop-off, post for a sponsor to help cover the cost. What about sick cats or kittens? They can be treated and you are expected to do that unless it is a severe or end-of-life case. Should I take healthy bottle babies? No. Do not remove healthy kittens from their mother. Leave them, monitor them, wait until they are eating solid food for about a week, then get them fixed and adopted and fix mom. No cat leaves unaltered. Can I take kittens and leave the mom? No. This is a ban-able offense. Can I offer kittens to Fresno TNR for rescue? No. That is not what this group is for. When can I adopt out cats or kittens? Only after they are fixed. Can I ask for rescue help? Yes, but only for unaltered cats while waiting to get them fixed. If you give away unaltered cats or kittens, you will be banned. Can I ask for help in comments on someone else’s post? No. Make your own post for trapping, transport, or borrowing traps and include major cross streets, not exact location. What language is not allowed? The term “get rid of” is not used. How should cats be transported? Use hard plastic carriers or secure traps only. No soft carriers, collapsible carriers or traps, cardboard boxes, or dog crates. Can I transport cats in a truck bed or convertible? No. Cats must be secured inside a vehicle with windows up. Can I message multiple admins at once? No. Wait 24 hours, then try another admin. Work with one admin at a time. Can I bring a cat based on what someone else said? No third-party communication. You must speak directly with an admin. Why do you get upset about unplanned trapping? Because it causes serious issues. There may be no appointments and the cat sits trapped for days, the schedule may already be full, some cats cannot be re-trapped, one failed action can create a colony, and you may trap a nursing mom and unintentionally kill her kittens. Have a plan before trapping. What are your hours and location? Monday through Friday 3 PM to 6 PM. 7425 N Palm Bluffs Ave Unit 103 Fresno, CA 93711. Search Fresno TNR on Google Maps. What extra services are available? Microchip, deworming, flea treatment, and vaccines. Will Fresno TNR solve all my cat problems? No. But we will help you help them.

Feline panleukopenia virus, or FPV, is part of the parvovirus family. It is often compared to canine parvo because the illnesses are similar in how scary and aggressive they can be, but cats do not catch canine parvo from dogs, and dogs do not catch feline panleuk from cats. They are different viruses in the same general family. https://www.fresnotnr.org/post/feline-panleukopenia-the-cat-virus-we-cannot-afford-to-ignore

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 👉 SPCA - 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 - 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 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. 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.) 👉 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 👉 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/ 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/ 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/

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 Brown Dog Foundation: https://www.browndogfoundation.org/ask-for-help Frankie’s Friends: 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/ The Pet Fund: https://thepetfund.com/for-pet-owners/financial-assistance The Mosby Foundation: https://themosbyfoundation.org/apply-for-aid/ Red Rover: https://redrover.org/relief/urgent-care-grants/ Help a Pet: https://www.help-a-pet.org/apply.html Hope Mending Hearts: http://www.hopemendinghearts.net/grant-application/ Paws 4 a Cure: https://www.paws4acure.org/askforhelp.php The Onyx and Breezy Foundation: https://www.paws4acure.org/askforhelp.php Violets Friends: https://oscarnewman.com/pages/violets-friends-applicant-pre-requisites Pet Assistance Inc.: https://www.petassistanceinc.org/financialaid

Some veterinary hospitals in Fresno include: 👉 Blue Pearl 👉 Animal Medical Clinic, 👉 Abby Pet Hospital 👉 24/7 Pet Vets.　 Check the list of veterinary hospitals near you. Click here to learn more

Yes. In certain circumstances. Fresno TNR may be able to help with trapping, depending on volunteer trapper availability and colony location. Start with a post in the Facebook group with your general location, how many cats need help, and any urgent concerns. Pregnant and sick cats are typically prioritized but volunteers are willing to help in any way they can. Remember, no one is turned away due to financial limitations. All we ask is for your participation in asking for sponsorships.

No. Appointment spots are not scheduled directly. Please go to the Facebook group page and message an admin first so you can be added to a group chat and the situation can be reviewed. Appointment timing depends on several factors, including the number of cats, whether any are pregnant, sick, injured, or urgent, and overall appointment availability. An admin will help determine when appointment spots can be assigned.

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/ 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 👉 How to keep a baby kitten warm: https://www.kittenlady.org/heatsources 👉 How to syringe feed a baby kitten: https://www.kittenlady.org/syringefeeding 👉 How to help a baby kitten pee or poop: https://www.kittenlady.org/stimulating 👉 How to check for and treat fleas on a baby kitten: https://www.kittenlady.org/fleas 👉 How (and why) to weigh a baby kitten: https://www.kittenlady.org/weighing For additional resources on kittens and how to care for them, please visit the Fresno T.N.R. website: https://www.fresnotnr.org/kittens

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 Purchase directly at the facility 👉 Tractor Supply Available for purchase 👉 Cat House on the Kings (Refundable deposit required) 👉 Whitie's Pets (Refundable deposit required) 👉 Tomahawk Live Trap (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

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.

Follow proper cleaning guidelines to ensure safety and hygiene. Click here to learn more

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

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

There are many ways to get involved with Fresno TNR, and every role helps save lives. A great first step is to sign up for our newsletter so you can stay updated on volunteer needs, upcoming opportunities, important announcements, and ways to support local community cats. You can also get involved by volunteering at the facility, learning how to trap, helping transport cats to and from appointments, assisting with recovery, supporting events, sharing information, helping with fundraising, donating supplies, or taking on behind-the-scenes volunteer roles. Whether you have a few hours to give, want to learn hands-on TNR work, can help drive, or prefer to support from home, there is a place for you. To get started, join our Facebook group, subscribe to the newsletter, or complete a volunteer interest form so we can help connect you with the right opportunity.