We fix community cats for a flat rate of $55 

We do not require an appointment for community cats.  We accept community cats for spay/neuter services from Monday - Thursday with no appointment between 9AM- 4PM. 

Procedures

  • All community cats must come into the clinic in a secure humane live trap. The trap must remain with the cat during its stay. For the safety of the animals and our staff, we will not accept these cats that are not in a trap.
  • Community cats will be held over for one to two nights.
  • All community cats will receive an ear tip to show that they have been altered. 
  • Community cats will receive a rabies vaccination at the time of surgery. A rabies certificate and tag will be provided to you at discharge.
  • Price includes a cerenia injection as needed.
  • Please do not mislead our staff by putting an owned cat in a trap in order to avoid making an appointment for your pet.
  • Questions? Feel free to contact us at healthypets@sopines.org. ​
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An ear tip is the easiest way to identify a fixed outdoor cat.

Post-Operative Care

For community cats, post-operative care depends on whether you can handle the cat. The cat's stitches will dissolve, so you do not need to bring them back to the clinic to have them removed. If the cat is truly unsocialized, do not attempt to handle him/her. You risk serious injury to yourself and/or to the cat.
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Note: It is very important to release these cats in the same location where you trapped them. Community cats generally do not do well if they are relocated. If you must relocate them, Ally Cat Allies has a guide for a successful relocation. 
Male Cats
  • Should be released the afternoon following surgery
  • In extreme weather, please keep the animal additional nights when possible
Female Cats
  • Should be released the afternoon following surgery
  • If the animal was nursing kittens, release her immediately as she will be able to nurse her kittens after surgery
  • In extreme weather, please keep the animal additional nights when possible

Guidelines

  • Cats should remain in the live trap during the recovery period. Do not attempt to transfer an unsocialized cat to a carrier or cage. Cats are very quick and can easily escape during transfer.
  • Please keep the cat in a temperature controlled, draft-free environment during the recovery period. At the very least, please keep them in a sheltered area (like a garage or shed) out of the elements.
  • Keep their traps covered at all times. This provides protection and security. Keep the trap lined underneath with newspaper or a pad to keep the cat clean and dry.
  • Offer food and water when to get home, but be careful opening the trap to slide the food and water in. If possible, use a trap fork to hold the cat on one side of the trap while you provide food, water, and newspaper pad. For your safety, do not attempt to touch the cat.
  • If you have any questions or concerns about recovery or the cat please contact us at healthypets@sopines.org. 
Abnormal Signs
Please notify the vet if you notice any of the following during the recovery period: bleeding or discharge coming from the surgery site, abnormal smells, biting/chewing at the incision site, and continued lethargy (not feeling well). ​

Dorothy Ricks
​Community cat fund

Dorothy Ricks was an unwavering force for good in Hattiesburg, partnering with Southern Pines for over a decade to help improve the lives of homeless, hurting, and in need animals. To memorialize our friend Dorothy's love and work with Hattiesburg community cats, we've decided to create the Dorothy Ricks Community Cat Fund--a special fund designed to help assist with the cost of fixing community cats. With this fund, we hope to honor her memory by continuing her legacy of love for community cats and her commitment to the mission of Southern Pines, and to continue her legacy of love for her community. 

Trap Rental
Don't have a humane live trap? You can rent one from us! Click the button to learn more.