FAQ

This group (Fresno T.N.R.) 👉 If you are looking for an appointment for a FRIENDLY cat, join the #3 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 *LIMITED TO RESIDENTS OF FRESNO COUNTY* 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://www.cvfix.org/book-an-appointment 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 $130 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/

Some rescues you can contact include Cali Cats Animal Rescue; Cat House on the Kings; Friends of Madera Animal Shelter; Gabby’s Animal Rescue; Kirkland Foundation; and Whiskers, Tails & Ferals. Look up their Facebook pages and/or websites for information on how to contact them. If you are willing to foster the cat(s), make sure to mention that. Being willing to foster generally increases your chance of receiving help. If none of these rescues are able to assist you, you should Google rescues outside the Central Valley (e.g., in the Bay Area or out of state) and try contacting them.

Valley Animal Center - Offers low-cost wellness exams on an appointment basis and vaccines and deworming during their walk-in clinic hours. Note that pets over 4 months of age are required to receive a rabies vaccine, and this requires a wellness exam. Please visit their website for current pricing and availability. https://valleyanimal.org/vaccines/ H.O.P.E. Animal Foundation - Offers low-cost wellness exams, vaccines, and deworming on an appointment basis. Please visit their website for current pricing and availability. https://hopeaf.com/price-list/

If in Fresno, you can take the cat’s body to 24/7 PetVets at 1639 N. Fresno Street. Tell them you found a deceased cat and would like to do a Good Samaritan Surrender of the remains. They will have you fill out a form and will then take the remains for communal cremation/burial. You can also take the cat’s body to Fresno Animal Center at 5277 E Airways Blvd, Fresno, CA 93727.

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

Tractor Supply Cat House on the Kings (Refundable deposit required) Whitie's Pets (Refundable deposit required) Tomahawk Live Trap (Click here for 10% off)

We do not recommend these traps, but if you have them, use cardboard and zip ties to make them safer.

FAQ for Trapping

See our cat trapping FAQ for detailed instructions.

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

The TNR program offers 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 not only saves money but also ensures the well-being of feral cats, provides a compassionate alternative. Click here to learn more

Outdoor cats, often called feral cats or community cats, are domestic cats who live outdoors and without a clear owner.

Spaying a pregnant cat is possible but depends on timing and ethical considerations. Consult with a veterinarian to discuss options and best practices. 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

Flea treatments for cats include topical solutions, flea collars, or oral medications. Always use products specifically designed for cats. Click here to learn more

Some veterinary hospitals in Fresno include Fresno Pet ER, Animal Medical Clinic, and Abby Pet Hospital.　 Check the list of veterinary hospitals near you. Click here to learn more