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Appointments
There is normally a 3-5 week wait for appointments. Call the main CARE line, 407-522-2617, and leave your name & local daytime and evening phone numbers (no long distance numbers please). A volunteer will return your call within a 24 hours. If you have not spoken with us in 24 hours please, call again.
SERVICES AVAILABLE ONLY FOR FERAL OR ABANDONED/UN OWNED OR FREE ROAMING CATS IN ORANGE COUNTY.
ABSOLUTELY NO PERSONAL PETS
SERVICES PROVIDED
- 16 weeks and older
- Spaying/neutering
- Rabies vaccine
- FVRCP
- Ear tip/notch - right for female, left for male
- Random testing for feline leukemia/feline aids. If put down, you need to call the CARE line, 407-522-2617, and leave a message in the appointment mail box that the cat(s) you took in were put down due to leukemia and/or aids.
- Less than 16 weeks (must weigh a minimum of 3 pounds, usually around 12 weeks)
- Spaying/neutering
- FVRCP - ONLY
- No ear tip/notch
- A minimum of 2 weeks before appointment date, CARE will vaccinate kittens 8 - 12 weeks old by appointment. Arrangements for kitten vaccinations can be made when you speak with a volunteer.
DIRECTIONS TO ORANGE COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES
- Get Directions and map Here
- 2769 Conroy RD. Complex is located across Conroy Rd from the Millennia Mall
- From Orange Blossom Trail to Americana Blvd. Head West, go 3 miles to Eastgate DR, which is the first traffic light after John Young Parkway intersection. Turn right and follow road to the back. Animal Services is the building on the right.
- From I-4 East to Conroy Rd East exit. Go to last traffic light to enter the mall - Eastgate Dr. Turn left and follow road to the back. Animal Services is the building on the right.
- From I-4 West to John Young Parkway exit. Turn left and go about 1 ½ miles to Conroy /Americana intersection. There is a Walgreen's on the corner. Turn right, go to first traffic light - Eastgate. Turn right and follow road to the back. Animal Services is the building on the right.
- Phone 407-245-9140
TRAPPING
Donations are not required but are welcomed & are tax deductible
- If a trap is needed, call the volunteer's name you were given to obtain a trap. You must have an appointment date before you call to reserve a trap. Traps are usually available for pick up 3-5 days before the appointment.
- When picking up the trap, a liability form must be signed with the following information:
- dates person will have the trap, how many, and numbers on the traps
- person's responsibility to return trap within 48 hours of agreed upon date on form
- process will be explained before taking possession of the trap.
- If you have never held or picked up the cat you plan to catch - USE A TRAP! Do not try to put the cat in a carrier. You risk injury to yourself & if you are bitten or scratched, the cat will have to be quarantined for ten days.
- Put newspaper in the bottom!!! (Newspaper is now required by OCAS in all traps.)
- If you are bringing in more than 1 cat/kitten in a single trap, it IS NECESSARY to bring empty carriers for each additional cat/kitten. Cats/kittens are placed back in the trap or carrier after surgery for recovery. This makes it easier for clinic staff to monitor the animals following surgery and to avoid problems caused with half awake animals moving onto another that is still under and sufficating it.
- Cover the trap immediately after trapping the cat.
- Do not try to remove the food used to trap the cat.
- Do not trap more than 2 nights before your SCHEDULED appointment.
- If by 8:00 PM the night before your appointment you have been unable to trap the cat(s), please call the CARE line, 407-522-2617, and leave a message in the appointment mail box so your appointment(s) can go to someone else. You must reschedule your appointment(s).
APPOINTMENT INFO
- Appointments are Monday only.
- Arrive no later than 7:30 AM the day of your appointment at OCAS. Allow enough time to compensate for morning rush hour traffic. Those arriving after 8 am will forfeit their appointment. Also, allow time in your schedule for the check in process. it can take quite a while to check all the cats in.
- ALL CATS MUST BE IN EITHER A CARRIER OR A TRAP. NO CARDBOARD BOXES OR UNCONFINED CATS PERMITTED.
- NO LITTER BOXES IN CARRIER.
- ONE CAT PER CARRIER.
- NO LARGE DOG KENNELS WITH SEVERAL FERAL/WILD CATS INSIDE.
- Do not request "special" treatment at time of check-in, e.g. no ear tip, testing for feline leukemia/feline aids.
- If you want the cat treated for fleas, tape a vial of Advantage, Frontline or Revolution to the trap/carrier.
- Pick up cats between 3 PM & 4 PM the same day as surgery.
PRE-SURGERY PROTOCOL
- ADULTS (4 POUNDS and UP): No food or water after 10:00 PM the night before the appointment.
- KITTENS (UNDER 4 POUNDS): Do not remove food and water until 2-3 hours before surgery.
AFTER CARE
- All cats are given shots to wake them up from anesthesia. Males usually recover more quickly than females.
- IMPORTANT: If you notice extreme lethargy, minor bleeding or other problems, bring the cat to Animal Services the next morning at 7:30. If the cat appears in serious trouble/critical condition following surgery, take them to the nearest Veterinary Emergency Clinic. CARE does not cover the cost.
- RELEASE:
- Do not hold feral cats for an extended period of time, which will increase their stress and impede their recovery.
- Females should remain in the trap or confined at least overnight. If they were pregnant at the time of surgery, keep them in at least 2 nights, if they will tolerate it.
- All cats, male & female, should be alert, able to stand and move about normally and eating before they are released.
- After surgery do not feed more than a tablespoon of food at a time. Instead of water, give them an ice cube in a dish or bowl, allowing it to melt, which will give them small amounts of water at a time.
see also Surgery Recovery Instructions from Alley Cat Allies
WE RECOMMEND ALL FRIENDLY CATS AND YOUNG KITTENS BE PLACED IN GOOD HOMES AND NOT RETURNED TO THE STREET.
o Friendly cats, who were abandoned by their previous owners, have the most difficult time surviving on the streets. They are not accustomed to searching for their food. They trust people, even those people they shouldn't. There are some people who truly hate cats and will shoot them, allow their dogs to attack them or will put poison out for them in food bowls. These are the cats that desperately need to be placed in a new home. Kittens under 16 weeks can be socialized and tamed. Alley Cat Allies website (http://www.alleycat.org/pdf/socializingferal.pdf) has information on taming feral kittens. The younger they are, the easier and quicker it is to turn them into loving, purring balls of fur.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU CONTINUE TO FEED THE CATS YOU RELEASE AND MONITOR THEIR HEALTH. TAKE THEM TO YOUR VETERINARIAN AT ANY SIGN OF INJURY OR ILLNESS.
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