The first step is to evaluate the colony. The number and approximate ages of the cats is recorded. The feeders should be identified and told of the plan to provide care for the cats. If possible, the feeders and neighbors should be recruited as volunteers for some phase of the program.
Determine the availability of foster homes for the cats that are thought to be potentially adoptable. Evaluate the location or an alternative for return of the cats that are not adoptable. Determine the availability of traps and trappers.
P.G.F.F. will schedule an appointment at the veterinarian's office for the number of cats that are anticipated to be old enough to be spayed/neutered. Set the trapping day.
Contact the feeders to be sure that they do not feed on the trapping day.
Schedule trappers.
The trapping should take place at about the normal feeding time.
Cover the traps with a towel to reduce the stress of the cats.
The schedule of trapping day vs. veterinarian appointment will usually require keeping the cats in a safe place, like a garage or basement overnight.
Test for FIV/FeLK
Spay/Neuter (except for
pregnant females)
Vaccination for Rabies (only)
Home Again microchip or ear tipping
Cats must be held until the results of the tests are in. No cat that tests positive for FIV or FeLK should be returned to a colony, but should be fostered for treatment.
Veterinary charges will be placed on the P.G.F.F. account.
Anyone interested in helping with the cost of veterinary services should make a donation to P.G.F.F.
Generally, it is also advisable to add some forms of nutritional supplements. A digestive enzyme replaces those lost in the preparation of commercial foods, a probiotic replaces the intestinal flora that may have been destroyed by medical treatments, etc.
Some cats may need special treatment -- for immune support, for example.
The regimen will be determined when the cat enters foster care.
P.G.F.F. can provide several kinds of cat food that is acceptable. Supplements are also available from P.G.F.F.
Anyone interested in helping with the cost of food and supplements should make a donation to P.G.F.F.
The taming process may be a matter of a few days or weeks or months, depending on the disposition of the cat and the amount of time that the foster has to devote.
(The first stage of taming is accomplished with the cat in a cage. The objective, however, is to expand the size of the domain in which the cat feels comfortable so that the length of time that the cat needs to spend in a cage is minimized and the cat can assume a normal domestic environment as soon as possible.)
At first, the foster feeds the cat in the cage and allows the cat to get to know the foster. The cage needs to have a litter box, food and water bowls, a pillow or bed, a scratching box, and a ball or other toy. (A natural cat litter should be used to avoid clogging the digestive tract.) As time passes some contact with the cat is attempted, gradually getting to the point that the foster can pet the cat over the whole body. This should lead to being able to hold the cat. In the meanwhile, the cat may be permitted to step out of the cage onto the floor at feeding time, if inclined.
Eventually the cat will become friendly to the foster, even when it is not feeding time. Increased contact should be attempted, gradually getting to the point that the foster can pick up the cat and carry it around the room.
When the cat does not object, it can be carried into a gradually expanding area.
When the cat can be picked up whenever the foster cares to, carried around, and replaced in the cage, the cat can be moved into a small room of the house, like a bathroom or laundry room. The cat must again have a litter box, food and water bowls, a pillow or bed, a scratching box, and a ball or other toy available in the room.
Taming continues in the small room until the cat adjusts to the environment. By gradually increasing the size of the space the cat is in, the cat will eventually feel comfortable with free roam of the entire house.
The adoption of a cat is not taken lightly by P.G.F.F. Adopters must be qualified and approved by P.G.F.F. They must agree to NOT declaw the cat, and they must agree to keep it indoors 100% of the time.
In addition, the cat must continue to receive a good diet, one that is on a par with the diet they received when cared for by P.G.F.F.
The adopters maintain a holistic approach in the care if the cat. P.G.F.F. provides guidance after the adoption.