CatNiPP (Cat Neighborhood Partnership Program)
CatNiPP is designed to address the challenge faced by property
owners surrounding the presence of stray and feral cats, all while
treating the cats in a humane and ethical manner. Stray and feral
cats are the product of human mistreatment – owned cats are too
often abandoned and those that are not neutered produce litters
of untamable kittens. Unaddressed, the process continues and
seems unstoppable.

Through CatNiPP, the Washington Humane Society endorses
a management method called Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). TNR
works because it addresses the root of the problem – the breeding.
In TNR the cats are humanely trapped, brought to our spay/neuter
clinic where they are neutered, vaccinated and generally examined.
They are also eartipped (a portion of their ear is cut) to signal that
they have been treated by a veterinarian. After treatment the cats are
then returned to their outdoor home – to live out their days in a managed colony. They no longer reproduce and their nuisance behaviors, like fighting, spraying and yowling are dramatically reduced.

TNR works because it stops the breeding, promotes stabilization of the wildlife in the neighborhood and allows the cats to be humanely treated. TNR is the solution that not only helps the cats but also makes residents and neighbors truly feel good about handling the challenge. TNR is also far more cost effective than traditional trap-and-remove services and provides a truly long-term solution.

CatNiPP CLINIC:
Every year hundreds of feral cats and kittens arrive at regional shelters with very little chance of being tamed, socialized, or adopted resulting in their unfortunate demise. The Washington Humane Society has begun a trap, neuter and return (TNR) program that will contribute to the long-term management of feral cat populations in the District.

WHS Monthly Feral Cat Clinic – Typically held the second Sunday of every month. The monthly clinic is used to carry out CatNiPP’s targeted trapping effort.
Reservations are required. Space is limited.
All reservations must be made the Tuesday prior to the scheduled Sunday clinic.

Weekday Appointments – 4 days a week
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday – Reservations are required.
To make a reservation for a weekday appointment, call: 202-608-1356 x 101

Services:
Services provided for all cats received are:

1) Sterilization surgery (All pregnancies will be terminated)
2) Eartip of the left ear
3) Rabies Vaccination
4) FVRCP Vaccination
5) Ear Cleaning
6) Flea Treatment (n/a during deep winter months)
7) Subcutaneous Fluids

*Kittens must be at least 2 lbs (approximately 8 weeks of age) to qualify for surgery
*WHS is not able to provide veterinary care to any cats that are not being sterilized.
*Post-operative instructions, sterilization and vaccination certificates are provided for each cat prior to departure

Fees:
There is no charge for feral cats as long as they are from within the District and are returned to their outdoor colony.
Feral cats brought to the clinic from outside of the District receive all of the above clinic services – but at a charge of $45 per cat.
All cats must be brought in a humane box trap - one cat per trap: no carriers, no sharing.

Participation:
This program is reserved for stray and feral cats living in outdoor colonies ONLY.
Tame cats and kittens slated for foster and adoption will be accepted through the regular, low-cost clinic and charged the standard clinic fees. Low-Cost Services & Fees.

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To Make a Reservation: Please contact, Bridget Speiser, CatNiPP Program Manager
Call: 202-608-1356 (ext. 101) or 202-88-ALTER
Email: BSpeiser@washhumane.org
Please provide the following information when you contact WHS:
*The address where the cats are located
*The name of the person feeding the cats and contact information (if known)
*Number of adult cats Number of kittens
*If you have transportation

Upcoming CatNiPP Sunday Clinics:
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
To reserve space, email: bspeiser@washhumane.org for a Reservation Request Form.

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Funding & Donations
Each and every service offered at the National Capital Area Spay & Neuter Center is subsidized by financial support from the Washington Humane Society. Any donations that you are able to provide will help ensure that the Washington Humane Society is able to continue to provide these vital services to all dogs and cats - owned and unowned -- living in our communities. For a one time donation of $45, you can support the sterilization of one cat. Please consider making a donation today.

Community Parnership
Through CatNiPP, the Washington Humane Society has significantly expanded its efforts to bring trap, neuter, return (TNR) to the stray and feral cats in our area. But that is only part of the puzzle. Besides providing clinical resources for stray and feral cats, CatNipp also:

• Promotes spay/neuter of owned cats to help control cat overpopulation.
  
• Conducts neighborhood meetings on issues facing both human and feline residents.
  
• Provides information on alternatives to abandonment of cats.
  
• Builds a rapport with each neighborhood so we can tailor support based on the individual needs of EACH community.

Want to get involved?
Whether you have cats in your neighborhood that need TNR or if you just want to volunteer to lend a hand, there is plenty of opportunity! You do not have to have previous experience – we are willing to train anyone! CatNiPP needs:

Trappers: Want to learn the field work of TNR? Our experienced trappers would love to mentor you!

Drivers: Have a car? Many times we need people to help drive the already trapped cats to-and-from clinic.

Safe Homes: Have a secure garage or quiet space in your home? Trapped cats are held overnight before clinic and after clinic, in their traps. Many trappers and caregivers do not have space to hold the cats once they are trapped.

Clinic Support: Want to learn more about clinic life? We can always use people to help check-in the cats; assist in preparing the cats for surgery; assist in the post-surgical care and recovery. All cats are anesthetized prior to any handling.

Colony by targeted colony, the Washington Humane Society is hopeful that we will one day be able to drastically reduce the feral cat population in the DC metropolitan area through CatNiPP!

Contact: Bridget Speiser, CatNiPP Program Manager
202-608-1356 (ext. 101) or 202-88-ALTER
Email: BSpeiser@washhumane.org