The Cat Network Spay and Neutering Program
revised 9/21/2000
The Cat Network, Inc.
is dedicated to reducing the overpopulation
of stray and feral cats in South Florida through the humane practice of
sterilization, vaccination, and release. This, of course, is assuming the
stray cats do have some source of food. We hope that through this program,
fewer cats will have to be euthanized at county facilities.
You must be a member of
The Cat Network, Inc. to participate in our Spay/Neuter Program.
The annual membership dues is $10.00. If
you have not already joined, call (305)255-3482, press 3 and leave your
name, address and telephone number. You will be sent a membership application.
CERTIFICATES
The Cat Network, Inc.
sells low-cost spay and neuter certificates
which can be used at the veterinary clinics that participate in our program.
Included with each certificate is an identification form on the cat to
be altered. Please fill this out in advance, and give to the vet along
with the certificate. The price is $25.00 for both sexes.
While undergoing surgery, the cats are given a rabies
vaccine, and their left ears are slightly tipped for identification purposes.
Do not make an appointment with the vet until you have received your certificates,
which takes about two weeks to arrive through the mail. Remember, these
vets are donating these surgeries. If you appreciate them, use their other
services, and recommend them to others.
For additional information, and applications for
certificates, call our Spay/Neuter Line at (305)255-3482, press 1, leave
a message.
ONLY FERAL AND STRAY CATS
ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE ALTERED USING OUR PROGRAM. THE CAT CANNOT BE A PET.
If you have rescued a cat and plan to keep it as a pet, then it also is
not eligible.
OTHER LOW COST SPAY AND NEUTER FACILITIES
FOR PET CATS AND STRAYS IN MIAMI-DADE CO.
Miami-Dade Co. Animal Control:
They operate the MAC unit as well as a clinic at
7401 NW 74 St.
Prices are $10 male, $25 female.
Rabies vaccine $7 (mandatory).
Call (305)884-7729 for MAC unit schedule and appt.
Animal Welfare Society:
Located at 200 San Lorenzo Ave. in Coral Gables
(2 blocks N of US 1 on the east side of Ponce de Leon Blvd). Prices are $20 male,
$35 female (add $10 if cat is in heat; add $20 if cat is pregnant, must be an
early pregnancy).
Call (305) 445-3606 for appt.
Planned Pethood:
Located at 13749 NW 7 Ave. (just west of I-95 and
NW 135 St. exit).
Prices are $20 male, $25 female.
Call (305) 687-7729 for appt.
Humane Society:
North center located at 2101 NW 95 St.
Call (305) 696-0800.
South Center located at
16601 SW 117 Ave.
Prices are $20 male, $25 female.
Call (305)252-3389.
A.S.I.S. Clinic:
Located at 2526 SW 27 Ave.
Prices are $20 male, $25 female.
Call (305)461-2600 or beeper (305) 344-8230.
NOTE:
If you are a recipient of Medicaid you qualify for FREE
Spay/neuter, and a Rabies vaccine for price of $1.00. MUST
BRING Medicaid card and current photo ID to the following locations:
Miami-Dade Co. Animal Control: They operate
the MAC unit as well as a clinic at 7401 NW 74 St. Call
(305) 884-7729 for MAC unit schedule and appt.
(Will also accept SSI,
Disability and Food Stamp Recipients).
Dade County Veterinary Foundation:
Dream Lake Animal Clinic (305-225-3116)
Trail Animal Clinic (305-261-0793) and
Westwood Animal Clinic (305-553-0033)
participate in this program.
Only two spays or neuters per household are free.
The Cat Network Trapping Program
TRAPPING
If the cats to be sterilized are too wild
to be picked up and placed in a pet carrier for transport to a vet, then
they must be trapped. We provide advice on trapping;
instructions are included in the Spay/Neuter
package. We lend traps, when available, with a refundable deposit. When
you have received your certificates, call (305)255-3482, press 1, to locate
an available trap.
RECUPERATION
Each member who traps and alters a cat is responsible for
its recuperation. Both female and male cats may be
released as early as 24 hours after surgery as long as
they are alert and there appears to be no medical complications such as bleeding
or swelling. However, if you can hold the female cat at least three days,
it allows a longer time for the stitches to heal.
A quiet environment or cage in a protected area is needed
for recuperation. Cages and kennels are available on a limited basis with
a refundable deposit through The Cat Network, Inc. You must provide your
own food, dishes, litter and litterbox. Call (305)255-3482, press 1 to
locate an available recuperation cage or kennel.
KITTENS
Do not attempt to trap a nursing mother with kittens
that are less than 6 weeks old unless you plan to keep the mother and kittens
together until the kittens are old enough to be adopted. A nursing female
must have her milk dry up before spaying; this usually takes 7-10 days
after the kittens are separated from the mother.
How to estimate the age of a kitten :
At 4 weeks old, a kitten will just be starting to
cut its teeth. The eyes will still be blue. A healthy kitten will weigh
~ 1lb. At 8 weeks old, a kitten will already have the back molars. The
eyes will start showing adult color. A healthy kitten will weigh ~ 2 lb.
Most of the veterinarians in our program will not spay or neuter a kitten
younger than 3 months except the Humane Society, which will do it as early
as 8 weeks. However, all kittens should be spayed/neutered by the age of
4 months, especially the females who can go into their first heat before
they are 5 months old! |
