By bringing your cats in for spay/neuter and vaccination, you have helped lessen the burden of cat overpopulation. Please read these instructions carefully to ensure the best outcome for the cats!

Full recovery from anesthesia may take up to 24 hours so you will need to monitor the cats to provide the best care possible. 

Typically cats are picked up the day after surgery, however if they are picked up the same day, do not remove trapped cats from their traps until fully recovered the day following surgery!

 Keep cats in a warm, sheltered area.  Cats recovering from anesthesia are particularly prone to chilling which will prolong recovery and can be dangerous. 

Place newspapers or plastic on the floor to catch urine,  stool and food that may fall to the floor.  Elevating the trap with bricks or rolled towels will ensure cats are not sitting in their waste.

Cover traps loosely with a large towel or blanket.  This provides security and protection, essential for their safety, including for nursing cats and kittens. 

Many cats will be groggy and need to sleep overnight the day of surgery.  Do not disturb them and reach into the trap or carrier as they may bite in their state of confusion!

Normal Post Operative Conditions 
Normal behavior during recovery may include deep sleep, head bobbing, wobbly movements, fast breathing and shivering. 

No cat should be released the day after surgery if showing any of these symptoms!

There should be no bleeding from the surgical site during recovery.  There may be some bleeding from the ear tip up to the next day. 

In female cats, the uterus and ovaries are removed through a small incision in the abdominal wall.   All sutures are absorbable on the inside and the very outer layer of skin is held together with surgical glue. 

In male cats, the scrotum is not removed, only the testicles, through two incisions, one in each side of the scrotum. Male cats may appear as if they still have testicles. This is normal – the swelling should subside gradually through the recovery period.

Please call us if you have questions. If you feel there is an emergency and no one is available at Catlink, please call your local pet emergency clinic. The fees for care at a veterinary clinic are the responsibility of the caregiver, not Catlink. 

To feed and water feral cats in traps, very carefully slide dishes under the sliding trap door.  Use extreme caution to not let your fingers get within biting or scratching distance.

We recommend that you keep non-feral cats indoors for 10 days post surgery. 

Food & Water Post Op Only feed cats after they are fully alert and able to stand without being wobbly.   Some cats may be able to eat a small amount and drink water the evening after surgery.  About ¼ to ½ cup of wet food is usually well tolerated.

It is important not to feed them too much as they can vomit if they eat too much after anesthesia.  A half inch of water in a bowl is adequate and will keep the cat safe and dry. 

Most cats will not be fully awake to eat and drink until the day after surgery.  The following day, feed them a large meal and some water, again not completely filling the bowl. 

  

Releasing the Cats  To release, point the back of the trap away from danger, such as a busy street.  Take off the cover towel, unlatch the sliding door and lift open.  Stand back and patiently allow the cat to leave at its own pace.  Usually it will run away immediately.

If you need to relocate cats, please read the instructions on how to introduce barn cats. 

Please clean the traps and return to Catlink as arranged.