Community Cat Program
Supported by Mac’s Fund, the Morris Animal Refuge Community Cat Program is a spay/neuter program benefiting unowned outdoor-only cats in Philadelphia. To make an appointment, contact us today!
To make an appointment to bring in a Philadelphia community cat, please email communitycats@morrisanimalrefuge.org.
Philadelphia is home to a number of “cat colonies”, or groups of unowned, outdoor-only cats who cohabit together. These cats, sometimes called “feral cats”, are better known in the animal welfare world as community cats, and there are almost 400,000 in Philadelphia alone! Community cats can be of any temperament, not just “feral”, or undersocialized. Some community cats are highly handleable and friendly!
The Community Cat Program at Morris Animal Refuge provides a physical exam, spay or neuter services, vaccines (FVCRP and rabies), flea treatment, left ear tip, and a small tattoo indicating spay or neuter to any community cat brought in to us. This helps prevent disease and overpopulation in community cats, which improves the status of animal welfare across the city. This service is exclusively for community cats who live outside, not indoor pets.
The Community Cat program is by appointment only, and it is only available to community cats in Philadelphia. The service costs $40 per cat, which is currently entirely covered by Mac’s Fund, making it free to the public! To help keep this program sustainable and affordable in the long-term, please consider donating to cover future services today.
To make an appointment to bring in a Philadelphia community cat, please email communitycats@morrisanimalrefuge.org.
For more information, check out our FAQ below!
Yes. Our surgery space is limited so all surgeries are performed by appointment only. Currently, surgeries are performed on Sundays.
To make an appointment, please email communitycats@morrisanimalrefuge.org.
Drop off: 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Pick up: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
No. At this time, our grant funding is specifically to be allocated to community cats and not pet cats. If you are looking for low-cost spay or neuter for your pet cat, please check out the following organizations: PSPCA, Philly Paws, Emancipet.
Community cats are cats that live outdoors and are often cared for by the community. If you live in Philly, you probably see them all the time! Community cats can be friendly, like house cats, or feral (undersocialized). You can read more about community cats here.
We are able to keep cats for adoption on a very limited basis as space allows. We will notify you if we have space but there are no guarantees.
This program is currently free thanks to grant funding provided by Mac’s Fund! However, the program itself costs $40 per cat. To keep this program affordable in the long-term, consider donating today!
The package includes an exam, spay or neuter surgery, vaccines (FVRCP and rabies), flea treatment (Revolution), left ear tip, and tattoo. Additional services will be offered at low-cost.
Yes. Since we’re such a small shelter, our surgery space is limited. At this time, our resources are fully occupied with the urgent needs of the Philadelphia community.
All cats will receive an exam. If illness or injury is noted and it is within our capabilities we will treat it. We are only able to treat minor wounds/injuries and illness. If your cat is found to have a major illness or injury, we will call to discuss this with you.
An ear tip is the universal sign that a cat has been spayed or neutered. It is easy to recognize which prevents cats from being re-trapped when they have already had surgery. Approximately 1/8″ of the cat’s ear is clipped under anesthesia.
If you are unable to secure an appointment with Morris, check out these other community clinics:
