Items of Importance



GENERAL INFO: GENERAL INFO ABOUT TRAPS & TRAPPING:
  • Only wire, humane traps are permitted.
  • If you are using a trap other than an Operation Catnip trap, please determine the empty weight and post it conspicuously with a permanent ink marker on the top side of the trap's metal plate.
  • Prior to setting traps, make sure the back trap door is properly secured, otherwise the trapped cat might ESCAPE.
  • Place the baited trap in a protected area where you can observe the trap while baited.
  • REMOVE the baited trap when you are no longer available to monitor.  DO NOT LEAVE TRAPS OVERNIGHT.  An animal caught in a  trap without human monitoring puts the trapped cat/animal in danger (i.e. exposure to the elements or injury inside the trap).
ONCE A CAT IS TRAPPED:
  • IMMEDIATELY COVER THE TRAP with a towel or sheet which will CALM THE TRAPPED CAT and therefore the cat is less likely to injure themselves.  KEEP TRAPS COVERED AT ALL TIMES.  Check on the cat periodically just to ensure that the cat is OK.
  • DO NOT stick fingers into the trap or allow children or pets near the trapped cat.  The trapped cat is scared and may scratch or bite.
  • IF, FOR ANY REASON, you are bitten, seek medical attention and DO NOT RELEASE THE CAT. The cat may need to be quarantined for 10 days.  It is the responsibility of the caregiver to initiate action if bitten or scratched.
  • Do not transport cats in uncovered truck beds.  They are already traumatized. This will only increase their fright and may cause them to harm themselves in the trap.
  • Wash hands and change clothes before having contact with your own pets as a precaution against spreading any contagious diseases the cats might carry.
  • DO NOT put food, food cans, bowls, "comfy"  items such as newspapers, blankets, towels or rugs inside the trap which MUST BE REMOVED prior to arriving at clinic.
  • DO NOT feed cats after midnight.  Cats fed after midnight the night before surgery are at risk of complications.

OPERATION CATNIP ADMISSIONS:
  • Admissions waiting area is in the parking lot so please dress Accordingly.
  • Please arrive at the clinic between 7:45 & 9 AM.  NO CATS ACCEPTED AFTER 9 AM.
  • You must check your cat(s) in with admitting volunteers.  Be prepared to inform volunteers of any known medical condition that you want the vet to know.
  • You will be given a time to pickup your cat(s) that same afternoon.  IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU ARE PROMPT FOR PICKUP.

OPERATION CATNIP WILL do the following for each cat:
  • Spay or Neuter
  • Vaccinate for rabies
  • Give an injection of penicillin
  • Give Ivomec for internal parasites
  • Give Flea and Tick treatment for fleas and ticks
  • Thoroughly clean the ears and treat for ear mites
  • Treat any wounds.  Medical treatments will be humanely decided by the veterinarian. Our primary concern and focus is the overall welfare of the cat. 
  • Remove the tip of left ear to identify the cat as having been altered.
ABOVE SERVICES COSTS OC APPROX. $90 PER CAT PAID FOR STRICTLY BY YOUR DONATIONS!  PLEASE GIVE!  YOU CAN EVEN GO THROUGH OUR WEBSITE AND DONATE THROUGH PAYPAL (PLEASE SEE THE "WAYS TO HELP PAGE").  OC AND YOUR FERAL FELINES SINCERELY THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION!

OPERATION CATNIP WILL NOT:
  • TRANSFER A CAT FROM A CARRIER TO A TRAP, OR
  • TRANSFER A CAT FROM A TRAP INTO A CARRIER
  • Sterilize owned pets or strays adopted by the finder
  • Accept cats/kittens for adoption
  • Relocate cats
  • Participate in cat trapping for euthanasia or release to animal control shelters
  • Routinely test for feline AIDS of Leukemia

AT HOME AFTER SURGERY:
  • Keep trap covered to ensure that the cat remains calm.
  • Keep the cat in trap until the following morning.
  • Trapped cat needs to be kept inside either in a shed, garage, bathroom, utility room, etc. for their safety  and  to recover from surgery. They need to be kept warm in winter and cool but still warm in summer.
  • After the cat is home for 30 minutes, give the cat a small amount of canned food.  If the food stays down, it's okay to offer a meal-sized amount of canned food.  Since the cat has not eaten since the night before, it is important that the cat eats as soon as possible.  This will normalize blood sugar, help the cat wake up, have a normal recovery from anesthesia, and help the cat feel better.
  • The trapped cat needs to be checked on throughout the evening until you go to bed for the night.
  • The trapped cat(s) can be released the next morning after having a good breakfast.
  • If you are releasing cats at a food station, fill food and water bowls so that food/water is available when the cat returns.

CARE OF OC TRAPS & RETURNING TRAPS TO OC:
  • Remove any debris in the trap, and
  • Clean the bottom with a mild detergent and scrub brush to remove any soiled areas.
  • Traps can be returned to Jessica Beath Clinic during office hours: Monday thru Thursday 8 am until 5:30 pm. Closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
  • Traps can also be returned on any clinic day between the hours of 9:30 am until 1:30 pm.  Clinic is held on the 3rd Sunday of the month except the 2nd Sunday in June & December, and at other times as needed.  Or you may contact Gina Starnes at (804)350-3450 to arrange for a trap return. 
  • PLEASE do not hold on to the trap after it is no longer needed, we need them returned for further use ASAP.
      
 THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND FOR HELPING HOMELESS CATS. 
                                     YOU ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN
                " CHANGING THEIR WORLD, ONE SNIP AT A TIME!!"