What does Lifelong Friends do for cats that come to the shelter?

When a cat comes to the Lifelong Friends animal shelter, it is taken to a veterinarian for a general physical exam. During this exam, the vet checks the cat’s overall health and examines its teeth in order to estimate its age.

Feline AIDS and Feline Leukemia

All Lifelong Friends cats are tested for feline leukemia (FeLeuk), regardless of their age. Cats that come to the shelter when they are six months or older are also always tested for feline AIDS (FIV).  However, due to the possibility of getting a false FIV positive result with kittens younger than 6 months, some of the vets we work with do not recommend testing them for FIV. For cats that test positive for feline AIDS and/or feline leukemia, we work to place them with other rescue groups or in loving, forever homes that do not have other cats or that have cats who carry the same disease.

Spay/Neuter

Cats are spayed or neutered prior to being adopted if they are old enough. Male cats are usually neutered at four months of age. Females are usually spayed between four and six months of age. If the cat is too young to be spayed or neutered, the adopter will be asked to sign a Sterilization Agreement and give Lifelong Friends a $50-100 deposit. The deposit is refundable when the completed Sterilization Agreement and a copy of the vet receipt for the cat’s spay/neuter surgery are mailed to the shelter. The sterilization of a cat is required under Chapter 828 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. A violation of this chapter is a criminal offense punishable as a Class C misdemeanor. If the cat is not sterilized by the expiration date on the Sterilization Agreement, the adopter (1) forfeits the deposit, (2) will be charged with a criminal offense, and (3) Lifelong Friends will have the right to reclaim the cat.

Vaccinations

Cats are given the following vaccinations:

• FVRCP-C = Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper), Chlamydia
• Rabies

Cats are vaccinated based on their age. The first vaccination (FVRCP-C) is given when the cat is eight weeks or older. Three to four weeks later, the cat is given the second FVRCP-C. This is called the annual vaccination. After receiving the first annual, the cat will not be due for another FVRCP-C for one year. After the second annual, the cat will be given an FVRCP-C every two years.

The adopter is responsible for completing the vaccination series if the cat has not been at the shelter long enough to be fully vaccinated.If the cat is four months or older, it must be vaccinated against rabies. If the cat is too young to be vaccinated against rabies, the adopter will be asked to sign a Rabies Vaccination Agreement. The completed Rabies Vaccination Agreement and a copy of the vet receipt for the rabies vaccination or a copy of the rabies certificate must be mailed to the shelter.

The rabies vaccination is required under Rule §169.29 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. The cat must receive a booster within the 12-month period following the first vaccination. Then it must be revaccinated at a minimum of at least once every three years. If the cat is not vaccinated against rabies by the expiration date on the Rabies Vaccination Agreement, the adopter (1) forfeits the deposit, (2) will be charged with a criminal offense, and (3) Lifelong Friends will have the right to reclaim the cat.

Cats with Health Problems and/or Special Needs

Any health problems that are detected while the cat is living at the shelter are treated either at a veterinarian’s office, at the shelter, or in foster care. The volunteers at Lifelong Friends care for cats with special needs (i.e., amputated legs, deafness, or blindness) and ongoing health issues (i.e., megacolon or hypothyroidism). In the rare event that a cat has a terminal disease, such as cancer, or it has extensive injuries from which it cannot recover, the cat will be euthanized to prevent suffering. Lifelong Friends does not euthanize for population control; thus the statement, “Lifelong Friends is a no-kill shelter.”

Behavior

The cat’s behavior is observed while it lives at the shelter or in foster care. Our volunteers try to note behaviors, such as what the cat likes and dislikes, as well as whether the cat gets along well with dogs or other cats. Those characteristics are discussed with potential adopters.

Microchips

Starting in September 2001, Lifelong Friends began microchipping each cat that is available for adoption. This provides the cat with a means of identification that will not be lost even if the cat loses its collar and tags. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. It is implanted with a syringe, just like giving a vaccination. It is implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades. Sometimes you can feel a small bump where the microchip is. It is important to keep in mind that microchip technology is fairly new. This means that many shelters and vet offices do not have a scanner to read the chips. In addition, some people who are expected to scan stray animals have not been adequately trained on how to use the scanner. Although microchipping is one more way to identify your pet, please do not rely completely on it.

What does Lifelong Friends do for dogs that come to the shelter?

When a dog comes to the Lifelong Friends animal shelter, it is taken to a veterinarian for a general physical exam. During this exam, the vet checks the dog’s overall health and examines its teeth in order to estimate its age.

Spay/Neuter

Dogs are spayed or neutered prior to being adopted if they are old enough. Male dogs are usually neutered at four months of age. Females are usually spayed between four and six months of age. If the dog is too young to be spayed or neutered, the adopter will be asked to sign a Sterilization Agreement and give Lifelong Friends a $50-100 deposit. The deposit is refundable when the completed Sterilization Agreement and a copy of the vet receipt for the dog’s spay/neuter surgery are mailed to the shelter.The sterilization of a dog is required under Chapter 828 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. A violation of this chapter is a criminal offense punishable as a Class C misdemeanor. If the dog is not sterilized by the expiration date on the Sterilization Agreement, the adopter (1) forfeits the deposit, (2) will be charged with a criminal offense, and (3) Lifelong Friends will have the right to reclaim the dog.

Vaccinations

Dogs are given the following vaccinations:

• DHLPP or DHPPC
• Bordetella
• Rabies

Dogs are vaccinated based on their age. The adopter is responsible for completing the vaccination series if the dog has not been at the shelter long enough to be fully vaccinated. If the dog is four months or older, it must be vaccinated against rabies. If the dog is too young to be vaccinated against rabies, the adopter will be asked to sign a Rabies Vaccination Agreement. The completed Rabies Vaccination Agreement and a copy of the vet receipt for the rabies vaccination or a copy of the rabies certificate must be mailed to the shelter. The rabies vaccination is required under Rule §169.29 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. The dog must receive a booster within the 12-month period following the first vaccination. Then it must be revaccinated at a minimum of at least once every three years. If the dog is not vaccinated against rabies by the expiration date on the Rabies Vaccination Agreement, the adopter (1) forfeits the deposit,(2) will be charged with a criminal offense, and (3) Lifelong Friends will have the right to reclaim the dog.

Dogs with Health Problems and/or Special Needs

Any health problems that are detected while the dog is living at the shelter are treated either at a veterinarian’s office, at the shelter, or in foster care. The volunteers at Lifelong Friends care for dogs with special needs (i.e., amputated legs, deafness, or blindness) and ongoing health issues (i.e., megacolon or hypothyroidism). In the rare event that a dog has a terminal disease, such as cancer, or it has extensive injuries from which it cannot recover, the dog will be euthanized to prevent suffering. Lifelong Friends does not euthanize for population control; thus the statement, “Lifelong Friends is a no-kill shelter.”

Behavior

The dog’s behavior is observed while it lives at the shelter or in foster care. Our volunteers try to note behaviors, such as what the dog likes and dislikes, as well as whether the dog gets along well with dogs or other dogs. Those characteristics are discussed with potential adopters.

Microchips

Starting in September 2001, Lifelong Friends began microchipping each dog that is available for adoption. This provides the dog with a means of identification on that will not be lost even if the dog loses its collar and tags. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. It is implanted with a syringe, just like giving a vaccination. It is implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades. Sometimes you can feel a small bump where the microchip is. It is important to keep in mind that microchip technology is fairly new. This means that many shelters and vet offices do not have a scanner to read the chips. In addition, some people who are expected to scan stray animals have not been adequately trained on how to use the scanner. Although microchipping is one more way to identify your pet, please do not rely completely on it.