Cat Rescue and Spay Neuter Initiative
Animal Lifeline runs a small cat rescue through our thrift store location in Warrington Pennsylvania.
While we have successfully adopted out many cats we feel that the most impact we can make to end suffering in our community is to help spear head a low cost spay and neuter program in Bucks County to decrease the astronomical amount of feral and homeless cats.
We would like to thank the Doylestown Animal Medical Clinic and Mobivet veterinarians for joining our effort to help the homeless cats in our neighborhoods.
If you are in need of low cost services please visit our Spay / Neuter page.
Cat overpopulation is a major problem locally and nationally.
Below is a list of groups who might be able to help.
If you need to surrender a cat and cannot get rescue response
PLEASE do not release your cat into the wild. Cats are not equipped to survive without
resources, they are domestic animals. If a cat manages to survive a few years they only
add to overpopulation. In reality cats go into heat cycles every two months. Two mating
cats can produce up to 750,000 cats exponentially in their lifetime. Please always
spay and neuter. Our local municipal shelter will take your cat and try to rescue it if
private rescues cannot.
I called a cat rescue but they won't take my cat, why?
They don't have space. Most rescues depend on foster homes to take care of animals
until their adoption. If all foster homes are filled they cannot help you. Consider offering
a donation with your pet surrender. Cat rescues are not making any money on adopting
out your pet; they are losing money for care and supplies. Never call without giving the
group ample time to respond, most are all volunteer getting to you when they get home
from work. Ask the rescue if they will "cross-post" your pet on Pet Finder with their
adoptable animals. If someone will list your pet you can then screen prospective
adopters yourself.
Will the S.P.C.A. euthanize my cat?
Not unless they have to. Space is limited of course in a shelter. The only difference
between a "Kill" and a "no-kill" rescue is that a "no-kill" rescue can say they are full.
No animal advocate wants to euthanize due to space limitations. The fact of the
matter is that there are not enough homes for all the homeless animals in our
country so anytime you have to surrender an animal, it's life is at stake. The best thing
you can do is give yourself enough time, consider that if you are calling a rescue for help,
so are ten other families that day. You need to be persistent to get the help you need
for your pet.
What do I do with these feral cats?
Feral cats are not a pet; they are cats that were born in the wild. Often times kittens can
be rehabilitated and placed in homes but adults will typically not become tame enough
to place. If you can care for the feral cats you have the most important step is spay and
neuter. Most veterinarians have reduced cost spay and neuter programs. Some groups
will actually help you catch and transport animals to the vet for spay/neuter. You will
need a live trap or Haveaheart trap.
Cats have a triangle cut in their ear during surgery so that you can identify the ones in
your colony that are spayed and have rabies shot on board. You will need to provide
a food source and possibly a doghouse or other shelter for the animals after that.
Our local S.P.C.A. has given a grant to Dr. Deena Russell for Spay Neuter assistance
with ferals. Links are available for Trap/Neuter/Release information. If you are not
interested in maintaining the ferals please call for municipal assistance immediately!
Cats reproduce very quickly and you will be responsible for a much larger problem
if you do not act. Your local Animal Control or Humane Society can help you trap animals.
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