The Feral Cat Division (FCD) is an all-volunteer effort to humanely control wild or feral cat colonies throughout Jefferson County by trapping, neutering, and returning (TNR) cats to their colonies. Olympic Mountain Pet Pals is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. As of January 2008, the FCD has spayed and neutered more than 1300 feral cats in Jefferson County. We have also tamed more than 40 feral kittens and placed them for adoption.

What is a Feral Cat? A feral cat is a domestic cat that has reverted to the wild state after being lost or abandoned, or a cat that has been born outside to stray or abandoned cats. Feral cats live in family groups called colonies. There are an estimated 60 million feral cats in the United States.

This tabby female was one of 7 cats trapped at an abandoned house in Irondale. She was spayed and rehomed.

Feral cats spayed/neutered in 2007:  271
Feral cats spayed/neutered in 2006:  196
Feral cats spayed/neutered in 2005:  269
Feral cats spayed/neutered in 2004:  224
Feral cats spayed/neutered in 2003:  168
Feral cats spayed/neutered in 2002:  119
Feral cats spayed/neutered in 2001:  89

TNR: The Best Option for Feral Cats
Feral Cat Division Activities
How To Get Help with Feral Colonies
How To Make A Donation
How To Volunteer
Working with Feral Cats

TNR: The Best Option for Feral Cats
TNR (trapping, neutering, and returning) stops the uncontrolled growth of feral cat colonies and has been shown to be more effective than simply removing the feral cats. It is endorsed by veterinary groups and is practiced throughout the world.

TNR involves the humane trapping of feral cats so that they can be spayed or neutered and then returned to their colony where a caretaker makes sure they have a daily supply of food and water.

Cats are spayed and neutered by local veterinarians and, while under anesthesia, they are "ear tipped" which involves the painless notching of their left ear. This prevents the same cat from being trapped again and helps animal control officers to identify cats that are under the care of the Feral Cat Division.

Feral Cat Division Activities
Volunteers with the Feral Cat Division work directly with local residents, veterinarians, and the Jefferson County Animal Shelter to help feral cats through the following activities:

• Trapping adult feral cats for spaying and neutering
• Caring for feral cats that are recovering from surgery
• Fostering and taming kittens from feral cat colonies; the kittens are eventually placed for adoption.
• Feeding feral cat colonies
• Educating about the benefits of TNR
• Raising money to help care for feral cats

How to Get Help with a Feral Colony
If you know of a feral cat colony or are caring for feral cats, you can get help with spaying and neutering the cats. Please call us at 437-9085 for more information.

How To Make A Donation
The FCD is non-profit and is run by volunteers. Your donation goes directly towards helping homeless cats and kittens.

We accept donations of any amount in U.S. dollars. Make your check payable to Olympic Mountain Pet Pals and include a memo on the check itself that your donation is for the Feral Cat Division.

Mail to:
Olympic Mountain Pet Pals
PO Box 1466
Port Hadlock, WA 98339

Be sure to note on your check that the money is for the Feral Cat Division.

To donate canned or dry cat food through our Snowberry Fund, call 437-9085.

How to Volunteer
We have plenty of volunteer opportunities. Please call 437-9085 to find out how you can volunteer to do any of the following:

Trap cats for spaying and neutering. We can team you up with a volunteer who has trapping experience if you would like.

Care for spayed and neutered feral cats after their surgery. This is usually a one to three day commitment for each cat. We can provide a cage, instructions, food, and help in returning the cat to the colony

Foster and tame kittens. We'll provide you with a kitten-fostering kit, instructions and plenty of support.

Feed feral cat colonies. This is a long-term commitment; feral cats must be fed daily. But it is an easy and rewarding task. We can also put you on our list of substitute feeders, people who pitch in when a regular caretaker is out of town

Fundraising and outreach: We need volunteers to staff booths at local events and to help with fundraising efforts.

Build a cat shelter. Many feral cats find their own shelter. But occasionally, cats need a small place to provide them with warmth and protection from the elements. We can provide building plans.

Working with Feral Cats

How to trap a feral cat:
http://www.alleycat.org/resources.html

Caring for Feral Cats after Surgery

Taming Feral Kittens:
http://www.alleycat.org/resources.html#socializing