community cats

Our Community Cat Program is designed to offer help to the community with abandoned cats or orphaned kittens so they don't end up in a shelter. When abandoned cats or orphaned kittens are found by a member of the community, NPA will offer spay/neuter and adoption assistance to the caregiver once all requirements are met.

​The program is specifically designed to provide help for:

  • abandoned cats or orphaned kittens over 10 weeks old

  • kittens under 10 weeks who’ve been rescued from a feral Queen

Feral Queens with kittens under 6 weeks should not be taken in. The kittens should be left with the mother to care for them until they are weaned, between 6-8 weeks of age. At that point, kittens can be rescued and become part of the Community Cat Program.

Found cats should be properly reported to county shelters and posted as found for a minimum of 10 days. All found cats should be scanned for a microchip.

program requirements

  • The caregiver will provide basic vetting for each cat/kitten, which must include:

    • Comprehensive wellness exam - should be done when the caregiver takes custody, but must be done prior to spay/neuter

    • Vaccines (as age appropriate) - at a minimum FVRCP (kitten > 6 weeks) and Rabies (kitten > 12 weeks)

    • FIV/FeLV testing

    • Deworming – should be done every 2 weeks starting at 2 weeks of age (or from the age they are when the caregiver takes them in) for a total of 4 deworming treatments

    • Monthly flea/tick preventative (kitten > 8 weeks)

  • Proof of vetting must be provided to NPA.

  • All expenses, including food and the vetting outlined above, will be the responsibility of the caregiver. That also includes any additional or emergency medical care if needed.

  • The cat/kitten(s) must remain with the caregiver (or designated alternative) until the point that they are adopted.

  • NPA will assume financial responsibility for spay/neuter once the kitten(s) are at least 8 weeks of age and 2 pounds.

    • All spay/neuter surgeries will be performed at one of our veterinary partners. The caretaker will be responsible to transport the cat/kitten(s) to and from the surgery on the date agreed to with NPA.

    • Alternatively, if the caretaker chooses to assume financial responsibility for spay/neuter, it can be performed at a veterinarian of their choosing.

  • Legal custody of the cat/kitten(s) will transfer to NPA only after the spay/neuter surgery is complete.

  • NPA will market the cat/kitten(s) for adoption, and the caregiver will be required to conduct meet & greets and attend adoption events until they are adopted out.

Interested in joining the Community Cat Program? Email us at catadoptions@novapetsalive.org.