Welcome to the Feral Cat Coalition Website!
What Is a Feral Cat?
Feral cats are the offspring of stray or abandoned pets that are not spayed or neutered. Female cats can become pregnant at five months of age and can give birth several times each year. Without early human contact, their kittens become feral and begin the cycle of breeding again.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, tens of millions of un-owned cats live outdoors, and most rely on humans for food and shelter. These cats can be truly un-socialized ferals or friendly strays that have been lost or abandoned.
Total cats admitted to clinics: 3,471
Total spayed/neutered: 3,229
Total already spayed/neutered: 161
Total refused/to rescue: 53
Total euthanized: 21
Total died: 7
2017 Lifesaving Percentage: 99.2%
What Does the Feral Cat Coalition Do?
The Feral Cat Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the suffering and overpopulation of feral and abandoned cats through free, humane Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). We believe it is our responsibility, as a community, to care for cats that have been forced, through human abandonment or failure to spay and neuter, to live outdoors.
When appropriate, we lend humane traps, with instructions, for the purpose of trapping, neutering, and returning feral cats to their outdoor homes, where they are monitored by caretakers.
Since 1992, we have spayed and neutered more than 40,000 feral cats. Licensed veterinarians perform spay/neuter surgeries at our facility in El Cajon, and at various locations throughout San Diego County.
Tax-deductible donations are welcome and needed, and go directly to providing free spay/neuter services to feral cats in need.
What Is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)?
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the only proven and humane method of managing feral cat colonies, and is endorsed by leading animal welfare organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Feral cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped (the universal symbol of a sterilized feral cat), and returned to their outdoor homes, where they are monitored by caretakers. Research has shown that, when correctly implemented, TNR stabilizes and reduces feral cat populations, eliminates undesirable behaviors associated with mating, and is more effective and cost-efficient than lethal control.
How Can You Be Part of the Solution?
Trap-Neuter-Return. Call our message center at (855) FCC-CATS, make a reservation, and bring feral and abandoned cats to our spay/neuter clinics. Humane traps, with instructions, are available for loan.
Volunteer. Give your time, and ask your personal veterinarian to do the same. Complete our volunteer questionnaire to get started.
Donate. Make a tax-deductible contribution via PayPal, or send a check to 9528 Miramar Road, PMB 160, San Diego, CA 92126.
Spay and neuter your pets. Cats can begin reproducing as early as five months of age, so they should be sterilized by that age, or younger. Cats can give birth several times a year, and each litter adds to the millions of cats across the country competing for homes. Close to two million cats are euthanized each year in shelters and animal control facilities nationwide. In addition to population control, sterilization can also eliminate unpleasant behaviors of intact cats, such as fighting and spraying. For low-cost spay/neuter for pets in San Diego County, contact:
- San Diego Humane Society (619) 299-7012
- SNAP's Neuter Scooter (866) SPAY-BUS
- Animal Welfare Foundation (619) 702-4400
- Pet Assistance (in San Diego's North County) (855) 738-7349
You can make a difference. Together, we can save lives. Get involved today!
[Page updated May 2018]