Citizens for Animal Protection Performs 105 Surgeries on Feral Cats
On March 24, veterinarians, staff and volunteers at Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP), with assistance from City of Sugar Land, Texas – City Government Animal Shelter staff, banded together to perform an impressive 105 spay/neuter surgeries on feral cats collected around the West Houston community.
The CAPS lobby and administrative hallways were full of covered animal traps to help keep the feral cats as calm as possible upon arrival while being prepared for surgery. Independent trappers volunteered to dutifully invest their time, money and labor in feeding and caring for the stray and feral cats that were brought in. They are a core component to CAP's TNR program, which aims to spay/neuter at least 200-250 feral cats per month.
 CAP lobby full of feral and stray cats in covered traps on March 24, 2023. (Source: CAP via Facebook) |
 CAP volunteer delivering feral/stray cats to CAP on March 24, 2023. (Source: CAP via Facebook) |
- Male cats stop fighting and roaming neighborhoods
- Cats get vaccinated
- Flea control medication is administered
- Improves relationships between neighbors by reducing noise, urine spraying and digging in gardens
- Fewer cats means fewer threats to birds
Normally, to neuter a male cat takes 2-5 minutes, while female cats take 10-15 minutes to spay. It can take longer if cats have any other underlying health issues. Spayed/neutered cats also have their ear tipped, which is a universally recognized symbol of a cat who has been spayed or neutered and vaccinated. Eartipping is a standard component of most TNR programs, as it is the best method to let everyone know at a glance that a cat has gone through a TNR program.
Feral or stray cat undergoing eartipping as part of CAP's TNR program on March 24, 2023. (Source: CAP via Facebook)Once cats recover after the surgery, which is usually within 12-24 hours, they must be returned to the same location. Returning cats to their original habitat is crucial to ensuring their safety. Relocating a feral cat or colony should be avoided at all costs, and should only be used as a last resort. Unless the cats’ lives are threatened, the optimal place for them is where they currently live. If relocation is not done properly, it is considered inhumane.
If you would like to be a part of this important initiative or other programs offered at CAP, please call 281-497-0591 or visit cap4pets.org.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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