Our Mission:
IndyFeral seeks to reduce the stray and feral cat overpopulation through the non-lethal method of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), not trap and kill.
Adoption Tips and Resources
 

Factors to consider

It is very hard for cats who are surrendered by their owners to adjust to a shelter environment. The comfort of home is all they’ve ever known, so they often become depressed, can become aggressive and even give up the will to live. For the well being of your cat, surrendering him or her to a shelter should be an absolute last resort. Please try and find a home for your cat by contacting friends, neighbors, co-workers or family members. This is always a better alternative. Cats who are surrendered to shelters are more susceptible to stress, illness and depression. They grieve the loss of their families and often stop eating or contract an upper respiratory infection. Senior cats are in the most danger of falling ill or giving up.

Shelters can't save and support the huge number of accidental litters, stray and family cats brought to the shelter doors everyday. In the U.S. the most comprehensive data indicates that nearly 72% of cats that enter these facilities are killed. There is no guarantee your cat/kittens couldn’t end up being euthanized or losing his or her will to live.

Almost all shelters and rescue groups will have a waiting list especially during kittens season. (Kitten season is the time of year when cats give birth, flooding animal shelters and rescue groups across the nation with homeless litters. Kitten season is really three seasons in one, starting in spring, peaking in late spring or early summer, and ending in fall) Please be patient.

How to rehome a cat/kitten on your own:

Finding adoptive homes takes time and creative effort, but it is not impossible. Thousands of grassroots groups and rescuers find homes for cats every day by following these steps, being persistent, diligent, and remaining positive. Here are screening tips and a sample application you can use to find a good fit and safe home on your own: Alley Cat Allies rehoming resources

ReTailsIndy (phone: (317) 536-3227)

reTails is an organization devoted to ending the death of pets in shelters. They don't operate a shelter. All of their adoptable pets are housed in foster homes until adopted.

If you are interested in having reTails help rehome a pet, please help them by providing as much of the information as possible at http://www.retailsindy.org/rehome. Since their adoptable pets are kept in foster homes, their ability to accept pets depends on a number of factors, including the size/breed of a pet, how well it gets along with other pets or children, and it's spay/neuter and medical status. Even if they don't have a foster home available to accept the pet, they can still provide free courtesy postings on their Petfinder listing and their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/reTails and may have other resources available for helping.

Special considerations for kittens

Your first instinct when you see kittens may be to swoop them up and take them home with you, but that is not always in the best interest of the kittens--or you. If the kittens look healthy and safe - wait and see if mom returns. It is ideal that they stay with mom. Please read the info on our kitten care page to help decide next steps.

Tips on caring for orphan kittens

If you take orphan kittens to the shelter and they cannot find a nursing mom or bottle feeder they will be put down.

If you think a cat you found may be lost visit Indy Lost Pet Alert and submit a claim.

Shelters/Rescues

Keep your cat safe

Never give a pet away for free

Craigslist

If you spend much time at all on Craigslist, you’ll see lots of cats, dogs and other critters looking for a new home. While the site is good to network a couch or other items you’d like to sell, think twice about using Craigslist to market your pet. Lots of bad things can happen to pets on advertised and rehomed on Craigslist: Please take the time to read this article.

Resources and education to help you keep your cat

Spay/neuter or medical care

We can help. Visit FACE Spay Neuter Clinic or please call our clinic at 638-3223. We answer our phones M-F between 10-5. If you have an urgent medical need call anytime and you will be prompted how to proceed. For non- emergency medical questions please e-mail our patient care coordinator directly at carecoordinator@facespayneuter.org

Food Assistance

Indianapolis Pet Food Pantry, 456 Holmes Ave, Indpls. IN 46222. The pantry is open for dog/ cat owners and colony caretakers every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from Noon-4:00 pm. Animals must be spayed or neutered. Operated by FIDO, (www.fidoindy.org), call 221-1314.

FIV/FeLV+ Cats

FIV and Felv is not an automatic death sentence. Learn more about the virus on our FIV/FeLV page.

This study shows that FIV positive cats can live harmoniously with FIV negative cats.

Behavior Tips

Jackson Galaxy is cat behaviorist with more than fifteen years of experience – and the host of Animal Planet’s hit show My Cat From Hell – Jackson Galaxy specializes in helping individuals whose “out of control” cats are turning their lives and homes upside down. If you need help with issues such as spraying, introductions to a new home or pet, litterbox issues, aggression etc please visit his site for helpful tips.

Allergies

While it is not uncommon for an individual to be allergic to cats and dogs, they are not always the culprit when it comes to irritated eyes, sinuses and itchy skin. Every spring and summer when the pollen count begins to rise, we see an influx of animals surrendered due to allergies. We find many family doctors and pet owners automatically jump to the conclusion that pets are to blame for allergies without doing the proper testing or considering seasonal allergies. A simple blood test can determine if you are allergic to pet dander. We encourage you to take that step before assuming the pet you’ve lived with for all these years is now the cause of your sniffles. There are numerous over the counter options to help control allergy symptoms as well. Here are some additional pointers on how to help control pet related allergies: WebMD article.

New baby

We are constantly amazed by the number of dogs and cats who are surrendered not only when the new baby arrives, but sometimes when they get the news! For many couples, they assume a baby cannot safely co-exist with a pet. Not so! While there are certainly dogs, and cats for that matter, who would not be appropriate for young children, we urge you to speak with us regarding your pet’s temperament so we can help you determine if they would be suitable and how to do a proper introduction. Check out these very interesting articles regarding pets and babies!

We’re moving

According to the 2011 Census, Americans move 11.7 times in their lives. The average life span of a dog or cat depending is around 10 years. This means your pet is depending on you to take him or her with you every single time life takes you in a new direction. In fact, their lives depend on it. Surrendering your pet, especially an older one, is very hard on them both physically and emotionally. And if you take them to a kill shelter, it is very possible they won’t survive. There are countless options for rental properties that allow pets. And while there may be some pet rent or a deposit to pay, isn’t that part of the lifelong commitment you made to your loyal companion? The price they may end up paying is far greater. Please, before you sign a lease, make sure you have confirmed that your pet is welcome too.