The Tehachapi Humane Society Feral Cat Spay-Neuter Program is aimed at reducing the number of feral cats in the Greater Tehachapi area. Feral cats are in many areas of our community. They hang out around restaurants, grocery stores and residential areas; anywhere food is thrown out in trash bins or cans. Many were abandoned or dumped.

THS loans out humane traps to help capture these feral cats. When a trap is borrowed, a deposit is required (this is returned when the trap is returned in good condition). We will show how to set the trap and give advice on what to use for bait, but it’s up to the person borrowing the trap to catch the cat — THS does not do this for you. 

Some people trap the cat planning to turn it in to the animal shelter, where in all cases it is euthanized. We highly recommend that captured feral cats be spayed or neutered so no additional kittens will come on the scene, then you may return the cat to the area it was captured and allow it to continue on with its life, instead of taking it to the shelter to be destroyed.

THS will help defray the cost of spaying/neutering by paying a portion of the cost: $50 for a female to be spayed; this leaves a co-pay (co-pay price varies depending on Vet). THS will pay $30 towards having a male cat neutered which will leave a co-pay (co-pay price varies depending on Vet). THS can make referrals in case the co-pay can’t be met. While the cats are under anesthetic, the vet will notch the right ear of the cat so that once released you’ll know that this animal has been “fixed.” THS recommends that food be put out for the cat at a given time each day and then picked up in the evening so that other animals do not come around for it. Dry cat food is not that expensive, if there is a hardship, THS can help provide food. 

By spaying and neutering feral cats, their numbers will decrease over time because they are not littering anymore. Now is the time of year to work on this problem — before spring, when new litters are prevalent. For more information on this program call 823-0699, and press menu #2. Leave your name and phone number and a volunteer will return your call. Your call is returned usually within 24 hours.