Low Cost Outdoor Cat Spay/Neuter Program Now Available Through Prairie's Edge Humane Society

Do you have outdoor cats or barn cats that are unaltered?  If so keep reading for information on a new program to help reduce the number of outdoor cats through spay/neuter.  will be hosting a once a month outdoor cat Spay/Neuter clinic.  The Just Cause Four Paws clinic will be run by Dr. Charlie Gumbusky, DVM.  Surgeries will be done at the PEHS shelter building in our Natalie Perry Smead Surgical Suite.  This program will decrease the number of kittens coming into the world un-intentionally and increase the quality of life for the cats that live outside.  The next JCFP Outdoor Cat Spay/Neuter clinic will be held on Friday, June 10th. 

To apply for the Just Cause Four Paws Clinic Outside Cat Spay/Neuter Program call the PEHS shelter at 507-334-7117, or email admin@prairiesedgehumanesociety.org , state that you are interested in the Outside Cat Spay/Neuter Program, leave your name and phone number. A volunteer will call you back regarding the requirements and scheduling for the program.  Space is limited, so you may be put on a waiting list.  We hope to increase the number of surgeries possible at future clinic days.

To qualify for the JCFP Outside Cat Spay/Neuter Program, you will need to meet the following restrictions:

The cats you wish to have altered live strictly outside and are provided food, water and shelter in a barn or other out building by you on a regular basis. (not your family pet)

You will pay $50.00 per cat (covers surgery and a rabies vaccination) that you wish to have altered under this program. This is much less than you would pay at a veterinary clinic to alter your cats.

The feline distemper vaccination is optional and will be an additional $10.00 per cat. (Vaccinations for distemper are strongly suggested.)

There may also be some income restrictions that apply for the subsidized spay/neuter program which we will discuss with you when you register. 

Some common concerns in regards to Spay/Neuter of outside cats:

At what age can the cats be altered? Kittens may be altered after they reach 2 pounds, which is usually after 8–9 weeks.  Adult cats may be altered anytime.  One unspayed female may be responsible for 100 or more kittens in 18 months if not spayed. 

Many of your cats may look the same, how do you know which have been spayed/neutered if you have brought cats to previous spay/neuter clinics? Ear-Tipping: This is a technique of removing the top corner of the cat’s left ear.  This is done while the cat is under anesthesia for its spay/neuter, so there is no pain.  The “tipped” ear is the universal symbol showing a cat has been through a spay/neuter program. This makes it possible for caretakers to differentiate between cats that have already been sterilized and ones that have not been sterilized.  Ear tipping also ensures that a cat will not undergo unnecessary repeat surgery. 

What if your outdoor cats are not tame and difficult to catch?  For the not so tame cats, we can provide you with live trap/carriers.  Cats can then be brought into the clinic in the trap/carrier.  They will be sent home in the trap/carrier, which will allow you to open the door and let them out. There will be a $50 deposit per trap/carrier.   This will be returned to you when the trap/carrier is returned to the shelter. 

What about stitches?  Stitches (sutures) are only used on the females, and can be absorbed, so there will be no need to remove them later.

If you have outdoor cats that are unaltered please consider doing so through the Just Cause Four Paws clinic.  This is the most humane way to control cat overpopulation.