Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)

FAN is located in the Hampton Roads region of Southeastern Virginia and primarily services the South Hampton Roads area, i.e., the cities of Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach. Cats and kittens in Suffolk, Hampton and Newport News are also considered, but not prioritized for intake. FAN accepts cat/kitten intakes from out of state only in extremely rare circumstances.

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• Returning from contractually bound FAN adopters
• Found running or roaming as a stray who are determined to be adoptable
• In South Hampton Roads, VA partner shelters in immediate danger of euthanasia or who need immediate medical help not provided by the shelter
• From private rescuers in the South Hampton Roads, VA area with limited avenues for adoption
• Surrendered by owners who are not FAN adopters

If you have neighbors complaining that cats are in their trash or digging in their garden; lounging in their yard or porch, or on their car; sleeping under their porch or in their shed; yowling, fighting, spraying, roaming, and having babies, then this is the best information for you to share on humanely deterring cats from their home.

We highly recommend you read this and share it with your neighbors:

Alley Cat Allies “How to Live With Cats in Your Neighborhood”

No, community (feral) cats are a community’s responsibility. Meaning, they are there because at some point socialized cats were abandoned and in a few generations became feral. The most humane way to deal with their overpopulation is by doing TNR, i.e., Trap-Neuter-RETURN. Returning them to their known neighborhood is essential for their livelihood. If you relocate such cats without a proper acclimation, they will try to find their way back home and may likely get killed in the process.

Sometimes, we are lucky enough to have barns and farms interested in such “career cats.” We have no openings currently, unfortunately. The best thing we can do for those cats is to spay/neuter, vaccinate and return.

Feral Affairs Network (FAN) makes “woobie beds” — also “woobie cat mats” — and now “catnip critters aka woobie toys” available for a donation which helps us save more cats and kittens from unnecessary euthanasia or lives of despair. 100% of your donation goes directly to Feral Affairs Network’s Medical Fund. Woobie beds are handcrafted for soothing comfort to cats AND dogs (even wildlife such as birds & squirrels!). Use at home and in carriers/crates for cozy luxury. Woobies are machine-washable (for best results, wash with towels). They are also vegan, made from 100% polyester.

See Catnip Cat Cafe in Norfolk’s Ghent neighborhood for current woobie bed selection or check FAN Events on Facebook. Special Orders may be requested by emailing us.

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The decision to adopt a cat is serious, requiring a lot of thought. Adopting a living, breathing creature is a big responsibility. You’re making a lifetime commitment. And you need to consider your ability to:

• Care for your cat
• Spend time with them
• Provide financially for food and medical costs
• Find housing where your furry family member will be allowed

FAN’s Introducing a New Cat (or Kitten) Into Your Home – It’s Acclimation Time (Downloadable PDF)

It’s important to set reasonable expectations when bringing any new cat home. We offer the Rule of Threes.

• 3 DAYS: To decompress
• 3 WEEKS: To get familiar with your house and its routines
• 3 MONTHS: To settle in and feel like they’re home

Adding a new animal to your household can be a whirlwind of an experience for many owners. Here are some pearls of wisdom that may help you prepare for what’s ahead with your new cat (or kitten/s).

There is a lot of change happening for your new cat, so it’s not uncommon for the cat’s behavior to change accordingly. They may be acting in ways you’ve never seen before, and this can be discouraging.

These “rules” are estimated marker points where you may see behavioral changes from your new cat.

3 DAYS. Put yourself in your new rescue cat’s paws. Everything you have known has changed, and you are in a completely new environment. Those first few days can be incredibly overwhelming, and cats don’t always “act themselves” during this time. Adrenaline is pumping and may make their behavior more reactive and less predictable. Many are too stressed (or shut down) to show their “true colors” just yet. Some are manic, testing and pushing buttons to see what they can get away with. 

3 WEEKS. You’ve been out of the shelter (or inside!) for a few weeks now, and you’re starting to realize this new home is safe. You’re bonding with your humans who have shown you nothing but good food and love, and you’re beginning to trust them. You’re mastering the environment and beginning to recognize patterns, such as when the humans leave and arrive home from work. Feel-good hormones are surging. This is often the time a new cat starts to feel comfortable and lets their guard down. Maybe they didn’t make a peep the first couple of weeks and now it’s all “meow-miau-MEEOW.” For those with other animals in the home, this is the most common time for potential altercations due to pent-up aggression and anxiety, and as the hierarchy (or “pecking order”) develops. This is typically the “make or break” moment for many human owners. But hang in there, and see what you’ll discover at…

3 MONTHS. This is the estimated time it takes for a new cat to fully settle down into a household’s routine. Trust and love has been built, and your new cat has an overall sense of security. Predictability is comforting, and it takes several months of repetition.

THE REWARD OF PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE BEST PRACTICED

Also heed these vet-recommended “6 Tips for Introducing a New Kitten to Your Resident Cat“

• Have (or plan to establish) a relationship with a veterinarian
• Plan for annual medical check-ups
• Be prepared financially for any medical emergencies that happen without warning
• Agree to NEVER declaw your new cat
• Commit to providing an INDOOR only home for your cat
• Promise to properly acclimate your new kitty for at least ONE WEEK in their new home, for best long-term outcome
• Provide high-quality food and fresh water
• Arrive with a cat carrier that’s at least 24 inches long (or larger) to take home your new cat —Bonus points if it features a top-load option

You understand the responsibility of adopting, and you know FAN’s policies. Here’s what our process looks like:

1. Complete the Adoption Application (either here on the website or at Catnip Cat Cafe)
2. Set up a quick 20-minute phone call to discuss the Application and counsel on your new kitty responsibilities
3. Provide us with some photos of your home (as home visits are taboo, courtesy of COVID-19)
4. Schedule a meet-and-greet so you can interact with your potential new cat, as needed
5. Complete and sign the Adoption Contract and provide the appropriate ID (a Driver’s License works best), once you’re approved
6. Pay the adoption fee (Cash, Check, or PayPal)
7. Voila! You head home with your new furry family member

FAN starts accepting applications for kittens when they’re eight (8) weeks of age. This ensures they’re “out of the woods” health-wise. As you may (or may not) know, the first two months for a kitten are the most precarious.

We DO usually suggest adopting two (2) kittens together, so they have company when you’re not around. This offers them a buddy to play with and can help keep the mischief to a minimum.

Kittens may go home once they’ve recovered from spay/neuter procedures, which usually happens when they’re around 3-4 months old. You’ll complete their Adoption Contract, pay the fee, and set up a “Going Home” date.

Incidentally, we REALLY APPRECIATE DONATIONS to sponsor our kittens and cover those unexpected medical costs.

We’re attached to our cats and kittens—we’ve fostered them in our homes! We consider every potential adopter’s household, matching them with the cat or kitten’s personality, to find the best possible forever homes.

This is why we review applications, conduct interviews, look at home photos, and ask that you take the time to read through and follow instructions, and ask for you to meet your potential cat or kitten. You are making a commitment to care for a precious, living being, after all!

Our goal is to help you find the best furry family member —not just for today, but for their lifetime.

ADOPTION FEES

We want to assure you that your FULL adoption fee goes back to FAN’s medical fund, allowing us to rescue more cats and kittens.

Here are current adoption fees (payable by Cash, Check or PayPal):

• $185 for kittens under six (6) months — $315 if you adopt two
• $155 for “teenage” kittens (six months to one year) — $260 if you adopt two
• $140 for adult cats WITH a microchip — $120 if WITHOUT a microchip

If the cat or kitten has LONG HAIR or SPECIAL MARKINGS, adoption fees may go up to $200-$285, depending on rarity or high demand.

Feral Affairs Network (FAN) is a wholly volunteer-run, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and we depend entirely on donations to fund our operations. We take on significant expenses to provide our cats and kittens with the best possible care, including spay/neuter surgeries, vaccines, food, shelter, and other veterinary care. To help defray at least some of these costs, we request an adoption fee, money that acts as a donation to help support the FAN mission to reduce the suffering and unnecessary euthanasia of feral (community) cats through trap-neuter-return (TNR).

We want you to feel confident adopting from FAN. As such, we provide cats and kittens with:

• Microchips
• Spay / Neuter
• Current rabies and distemper (FVRCP) vaccines
• FeLV/FIV testing
• Deworming, parasite prevention
• Flea prevention

All their medical records will go to you at the time of adoption. This includes any additional vet visits they might have needed. If they have chronic or continuing health issues, we’ll let you know.

Our policy to include spay/neuter surgery saves you money on the procedure and related medical costs.

As per the FAN Adoption Contract: “I will not give him/her away to an outside party or to any shelter. If for any reason, I am not able to care for the above-described cat/kitten, I will return the cat/kitten to FAN.”

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While we prefer you contact us if you need to rehome (life happens!), there are personal adoption alternatives. Facebook offers groups dedicated to rehoming your companion animal, and/or…

Get Your Pet is an online community connecting people who need to find a new home for their cat with people who want to adopt a cat like theirs. (Dogs, too.) Rehoming your cat directly helps alleviate the added burden on rescue groups and shelters and increases their ability to care for the homeless and abused animals that really need them.

GET YOUR PET: ADOPTION FEES

For Guardians, rehoming your pet on Get Your Pet is free.

For Adopters, unlimited browsing of pet profiles is free. Unlimited, secure messaging with Guardians — free. Meet-ups — free. The Adopter pays a nominal adoption fee online only after they take possession of the pet from the Guardian. And a portion of the profits will go to benefit local shelters.

NOTE: PLEASE, when giving a cat/kitten away, ALWAYS CHARGE A REHOMING FEE. If someone is unwilling to pay a fee, that’s a RED FLAG. Having a cat/kitten costs money: food, vet checkups, vaccines. If they can’t afford to pay a $50 adoption fee, what are they going to do when a bigger expense comes up? People looking for animals to abuse usually will tell you a “sob story.”

We currently partner with Pawsnickety Pets, a holistic pet supply boutique located in the Ghent Neighborhood of Norfolk, VA. Pawsnickety offers an array of all-natural, human-grade food & treats.

Bring your kitty adoption papers to the store to receive a FREE Pawdoption Care Kit (full-sized items!) complete with food, treats and supplements. Learn more at Pawsnickety Pets.

TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Return. After a feral cat is humanely trapped, he/she is spayed (female)/neutered (male) and immunized then returned to the trapped location after an appropriate recovery period. Feral cats who have been TNR’d will have the tip of their left ear removed to indicate the cat is sterilized and vaccinated against rabies.

Community cats are unowned cats living outdoors in virtually every region on every continent where people live. Like indoor cats, they belong to the domestic cat species. Community cats, also known as feral cats, are usually not socialized, or unfriendly, to people and cannot live indoors. They, however, can live full, healthy lives with their feline families, or colonies, in their outdoor homes.

Stray cats (usually abandoned or lost companion animals) are socialized to people and can be adopted into homes while feral cats are not socialized to people and prefer living outdoors. Learn more at AlleyCat.org/StrayOrFeral

Removal of the left ear tip is a universal indicator that the cat has seen a veterinarian, been sterilized, and vaccinated against rabies, at a minimum. The missing ear tip helps trappers/rescuers and Animal Control easily recognize cats who are already “snipped” and can release them quickly if caught.

KITTEN LADY: How to Trap a Feral Cat for TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return)

NEIGHBORHOOD CATS: Managing Feral and Stray Cats

NEIGHBORHOOD CATS: The Seven Steps of TNR

ALLEY CAT ALLIES: What to Do if You Find Kittens Outdoors — You may be surprised to hear that, usually, you should not take them to a shelter. See what you SHOULD do.

We have simple, effective, humane solutions to keep outdoor cats away from places they are not wanted. Learn how at AlleyCat.org/Deterrents

Sensationalized statistics are often misrepresented, skewed and taken out of context in order to push anti-cat, agendas. Using flawed studies and poorly collected data in this way —against community (or feral) cat trap-neuter-return (TNR) efforts— is both irresponsible and unethical.

Read this for more information, laying out the numerous benefits of TNR and dispelling TNR myths, from Alley Cat Rescue: Debunked: The Evil of Community Cats & TNR

Thanks for caring about this mama and her babies. We’re grateful you want what is best for her, as do we, but this is not an easy situation.

We do not foster feral mothers. Why? Containing feral moms inside —until they have kittens— rarely yields the results we hope for.

Confinement can be so stressful on feline feral mothers-to-be they may miscarry (horrible outcome for both mom and YOU!) or abandon their babies once born. We have experienced both. Stress can also cause a variety of medical issues for the mother.

We recommend spaying her ASAP so she can continue to live her life without the stress of raising babies outside in a harsh, unforgiving environment full of predators & other hazards. FAN can help arrange the spay…

READ MORE

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): Position Statement on Community Cats and Community Cat Programs

The Humane Society of the United States: Cats (see the section on “Unowned Cats“)

American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP): Free-Roaming, Abandoned, and Feral Cats

American Humane Association: Cat Colonies

National Animal Control Association (see “Extended Animal Care & Control Concerns – Community Cat Management” on page 28)

We highly recommend you read this Alley Cat Allies How-To Guide, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: HOW TO TALK TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

FAST FACTS 

• You are not required to say anything beyond identifying yourself and telling the officer you’re exercising your right to remain silent.
• You are not required to allow police or animal control to search your home or property without a warrant.
• You are not required to allow animal control or other law enforcement to observe your colony or feeding times on private property.
• You are not required to inform animal control if the cats are yours or not.
• You are not required to sign anything (other than a court summons).
• You are not required to trap cats.
• You are not required to bring cats to a shelter.
• You are not required to give consent to trap or kill an animal.

Misinformation about cats–like the myths that feral (community) cats suffer outside, that cats should be indoors-only, or that cats are responsible for wildlife depletion–often result in misguided policies that lead to cats being killed. It’s important to look at the facts, rather than believe sensationalized media hype or emotional arguments.

Here are a few good resources:

Alley Cat Allies “Cats & Wildlife”

Alley Cat Allies “The Wisconsin Study: Bad Science Costs Cats’ Lives”

Alley Cat Allies “Humans: The Number One Threat to Wildlife”

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws criminalizing acts of cruelty toward animals and include felony animal cruelty offenses.

Anti-cruelty laws must protect every cat regardless of whether the cat is a pet, a stray, unowned, or a community (feral) cat. Animal cruelty offenders are a threat to the health and safety of all members of our communities.

Research shows a clear relationship between violence toward animals and violence toward people. Cruelty to animals is unacceptable and cannot be ignored for the sake of the animals and our fellow man. We must demand that every instance of animal cruelty is investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Learn more about animal cruelty and the law and how violence toward animals is linked to violence toward people.

Source: Alley Cat Allies

While the legal definition of “abandonment” varies from state to state, it generally refers to:

“An owner (or person responsible for an animal) intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence leaves an animal behind, or permits an animal to be left behind, without providing for the animal’s proper care or making reasonable arrangements for custody with another person.”

FAN supports the enforcement of laws that punish true abandonment, but these laws do not apply whatsoever to TNR.

Read more: Alley Cat Allies “Why TNR is NOT Abandonment.”

Have heard the expression “nature abhors a vacuum”?

It refers to the phenomenon that when a space is emptied, nature will fill it.

Once you understand this law of nature, you’ll understand why killing cats (or otherwise removing them) from a given location is doomed to fail. The idea that removing cats will not lead to a decrease in cat populations across time may feel counter-intuitive, but it is grounded in a well-documented concept in biology known as the Vacuum Effect.

Read more from Alley Cat Allies on “The Vacuum Effect and Why Catch & Kill Doesn’t Work.”

No More Chasin’ Tails Spay & Neuter Clinic (Newport News)

Norfolk SPCA Spay/Neuter Services

PETA Mobile Clinics for Spay and Neuter

Animal Resources of Tidewater (ART) / SpayHR

Spay/neuter is invaluable—and there are many low-cost options.

Whether you’re a cat owner or a feral cat caregiver, it’s important that the felines under your care are spayed or neutered. Spays (female) and neuters (male) are surgical procedures performed by veterinarians to sterilize, or “fix,” the animals and prevent them from reproducing.

In addition to ending the breeding cycle and reducing the number of animals who are killed in shelters each year, spaying/neutering your cat or community cats in a colony you care for has many health and behavioral benefits for the animals and your neighbors.

Read more from Alley Cat Allies “Spay/Neuter: Good for Cats, Good for Communities.”

Millions of cats die in U.S. animal control pounds and shelters every year. The pounds and shelters say these animals are “euthanized.” But they’re not—they are killed. An animal is only euthanized when she is terminally ill or untreatably injured.

Euthanasia n. Also called mercy killing. The act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, a person or animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition (Random House Dictionary).

Genuine euthanasia is a medical decision and is always done in an individual animal’s best interest. It can be an important part of end-of-life care. But most animals who die in pounds and shelters are killed for very different reasons. Facilities kill animals to make room for new ones, to manage disease, or to compensate for inadequate staff or funding. Decisions to kill reflect the operating interests of facilities, not the best interests of animals.

Using the word “euthanasia” masks what really happens to cats in pounds and shelters—they are killed.

Source: Allied Cat Allies

Resources: Useful Links

Hampton Roads Animal Resources, Source: Norfolk Animal Care & Adoption Center

See this Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

Caring for a —friendly— mother cat and her newborn kittens is one of the most rewarding experiences a foster parent can have. Kitten Lady Hannah Shaw has a great article and video on the subject of mother cats and their babies.

FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. FIV+ cats live fulfilling, healthy lives and have the same needs as Non-FIV cats.

FIV Fast Facts

• FIV causes cats to have compromised immune systems, so they may be more susceptible to common illnesses, such as a cold.
• FIV+ cats in a home environment with a nutritious diet and routine veterinary care can live long, healthy lives.
• FIV can be transferred from mother to kitten or from cat to cat, usually through a deep bite.
• Non-FIV cats can live indoors with FIV+ cats. As with any new cat, a proper introduction is recommended to reduce stress levels.

For more information, visit Alley Cat Allies FIV Quick Facts. 

We recommend Pet Tracker as the best resource for finding your lost cat, quickly and safely.

Pet Tracker gives step-by-step instructions for both indoor only and displaced cats (lost away from home). 

Cats have a predictable and mathematical science to their lost behaviors. Understanding these behaviors enabled Pet Tracker to create a systematic plan of action for owners to implement immediately. 

It works!

Public health policies all over the country reflect the scientific evidence: feral cats live healthy lives outdoors and don’t spread disease to people. But advocates of catch and kill programs continue to justify this cruel practice by insisting that feral cats represent a threat to public health and that they do spread disease. “There’s simply no evidence to back up these claims,” says Deborah L. Ackerman, M.S., Ph.D., an adjunct associate professor of epidemiology at the UCLA School of Public Health.

More and more, public health officials are embracing Trap-Neuter-Return for feral cats and replacing outdated policies based on unfounded fears.

Read more from Alley Cat Allies on the science behind why feral cats are safe members of our communities: Feral Cats and the Public—A Healthy Relationship.

Cat’s haven’t figured out to talk human (yet!) but through vocalizations, body language, and demeanor, your cat is a skilled communicator. Ears, eyes, body and tail are some of the easiest indicators to read, especially if you’re not that familiar with cats, or a particular cat. 

Cats are not the best poker players. They always have a “tell.”

Here are some ways to learn to “talk cat” from Petfinder.

Here are some ways your cat is telling you they’re sick, from WedMD.

Our region sees natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes, floods, and even the occasional snow storm or eathquake.

Alley Cat Allies has some great advice to help cat caregivers prepare for natural disasters and their aftermath, how to get the information, resources, and support they need in the event of an emergency.

Read more from Alley Cat Allies on “What to Do When Disaster Strikes.”

Vaccinations are one way Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) protects community cats.

Rabies and FVRCP vaccinations are considered a standard and valuable element of TNR—a program that is extremely successful at stabilizing populations of community cats, also referred to as feral or outdoor cats. The program is also called Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR). Vaccinating community cats for rabies as part of TNVR offers the best chance of protection from contracting and transmitting rabies.

Read more at Alley Cat Allies “Just the Facts: TNR and Vaccinations.”

Declawing is the surgical amputation of the last joints of a cat’s toes, similar to cutting a person’s finger off at the last knuckle—closest to the fingertip. It can mean as many as 20 amputations for a cat. When the bones are cut, tendons, nerves, and ligaments in each paw are also severed, causing horrible pain. It is an elective surgery that causes permanent damage and is traumatic and stressful to cats.

Get the facts and please support legislation banning declawing.

Source: Alley Cat Allies “Just the Facts: Declawing”

Hampton Roads Animal Resources

Animal Behavior & Training

Community Cats (Feral)

Domestic Violence Assistance

Emergency Veterinary Clinics

Food & Supplies

Found a Lost Animal – Now What?

Hospice Assistance & In-Home, End of Life

How to Contact Norfolk Animal Care & Adoption Center (NACC)

Lost & Found Pets (3 pages)

Lost Pet – Tips to get them Home!

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter: How to prevent Suffering & Overpopulation (2 pages)

Low-Cost Vaccines & Vet Services

Medical Support & Funding

Military Deployment Alternatives (2 pages)

Pet-Friendly Housing (2 pages)

Rehoming Your Animal (3 pages)

Shelters

What to do if you Find Kittens

Wildlife & Animals Other Than Cats & Dogs

Hampton Roads Animal Resources, Source: Norfolk Animal Care & Adoption Center (19 pages)

Chesapeake Humane Society (CHS) and their community supporters help provide temporary boarding and medical care for families experiencing hardship, such as domestic violence, housing crisis, medical emergency. The program is open to dogs, cats, and small animals. Boarding is subject to available housing at the shelter or foster home availability.

Chesapeake Humane Society’s Crisis Program

Companies, animal welfare organizations (like Feral Affairs Network), and veterinarians have partnered with Petco Love Lost to make it the central hub to search for lost and found companion animals nationwide.

Search for your lost cat at https://lost.petcolove.org.

Found a cat? Help reunite the cat with their home at https://lost.petcolove.org

Try Rehome by AdoptAPet

Rehoming your cat should be easy and stress free both of you. Adopt-a-Pet.com has created a simple, reliable program to help you place your cat from your loving home directly to another.

How does REHOME work?

Rehome Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)