Hello SNIPers and Friends of Free-Roaming Cats:
The next SNIP spay/neuter clinic is scheduled on Sunday, April 10, 2016. Contra Costa County homeless, free-roaming cats and kittens (5 months old +) will be spayed or neutered, FVRCP and Rabies vaccinated, and surgically ear-tipped for permanent spay/neuter identification (standard procedure for cats released back outside) for only $15. Humane metal traps are required; resources to borrow or purchase traps will be provided.Â
Required reservations will be accepted beginning Saturday, March 12, after 9:00 a.m. by calling 925-473-5027. Space is limited and reservations are assigned to qualifying cats in the order received. SNIP provides services only to community cats (also known as “feral”) being returned outside – handleable or not — in an effort to spay/neuter cats who are not accepted at many veterinary clinics, and at a cost that encourages caregivers to Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). For all other cats, see Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Resources and Organizations Offering Financial Aid below.
Please note our minimum age limit is 5 months old. Younger kittens, generally weighing less than 4 lbs., often require post-operative intensive care and heating equipment to avoid hypothermia, a life-threatening drop in body temperature following anesthesia/surgery, that we cannot provide at a high-volume clinic. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, however, this is necessary for the health and safety of all our patients.
Cats and kittens over 5-6 months of age are old enough to breed and should be spayed or neutered as soon as possible. If any cat under your care is pregnant, please contact one of the low cost resources listed below immediately. Please do not wait for the clinic. It may be too late and you will be faced with a litter of kittens and the possibility of nowhere to take them that can assure they will not be euthanized (killed) as surplus, unwanted animals. Â