Frequently Asked Questions
- Is LapCats a no-kill shelter?
- In the true sense of the phrase, no. LapCats is a limited-admission shelter, but we do not euthanize for space purposes. We limit the number of cats in our care so that we limit the amount of stress the cats are under and so each cat gets the individualized care it needs. We do euthanize for medical reasons (i.e. Leukemia, incurable illness, medical suffering). We try to monitor the behavior of cats prior to pulling from the shelter. We've never euthanized because of agressive behavior but we have had a few cats that we found sanctuary or barn home situations for.
- Is euthanasia allowed if a cat is terminally ill and suffering?
- Yes. We do not believe in needless suffering.
- I need to find a new home for my cat, will you take it?
- NO. LapCats is a Sacramento County Animal Care program that takes in cats who have entered the shelter and are scheduled for euthanasia. With over 300 cats and kittens being housed at the Sacramento Shelter daily, they must euthanize for space and sickness until the high volumn of cats and kittens stops coming in the front door. There would be no way for us to help all of these cats if we took cats from the public.
Our primary mission is to help shelter cats who have been left behind through no fault of their own.
The sad reality is EVERY cat organization is FULL and will continue to be full if people don't spay and neuter and realize an animal is a responsibility for LIFE.
- What do I do if I've found a stray cat in my yard?
- If you've found a stray, please take it to the animal shelter that services your area to give the owners a chance to find it. If you know it's been abandoned, please consider taking measures to have it spayed/neutered and become its caretaker. So many cats are being left behind (many of them not spayed/neutered) when people move. The high foreclosure rates have lead to drastic increases in stray cats roaming neighborhoods. When people leave them and they aren't spayed/neutered, they have up to 4 litters each year! If none of these cats/kittens are cared for but allowed to continue breeding, there will be an increase in feral cats (abandoned "wild cats") which are simply domestic cats who have been left to fend for themselves and have become fearful of humans.
- Do you ever house cats on a permanent basis because owners have died or had to move into nursing homes?
- We prefer to have the option of adopting any cat in our care. It is our feeling that once a cat has been in a loving home, a shelter environment is much too stressful for it. We feel that there is just the right home waiting for each and every cat.
- Are the cats tested before being exposed to each other?
- Our regular incoming procedure with every cat is to test for FELV (feline leukemia) and FIV. We deworm, treat for fleas, vaccinate for rabies, distemper and upper respiratory viruses. All of our cats are ALWAYS spayed/neutered and we provide a collar, I.D. tag and a microchip. Incoming cats are then introduced to the shelter at their pace.
- How are you funded?
- Approximately 75% of our funding is through individual contributions. The remaining portion is predominately through fund-raising events with a small portion funded through grants.
- Can you take donations of cat food? Even if the package is opened?
- We will accept donations of dry cat food and litter even if the bag has been opened. We can use items for our foster parents and whatever we can't use we will donate to the shelter or to feral cat caregivers. Maybe when your office is hosting a food drive for people you could consider asking them to include animals and we can donate the items to the Pet Pantry we have at the shelter for people who are having trouble feeding their pets. We also need donations of canned cat food, but not opened cans of food. See more on Our Wish List.
- What are the benefits of a microchip? Will it hurt my cat?
- A microchip is a secondary form of protection in case your cat gets lost. The microchip is the size of a long grain of rice. Insertion is just like a vaccination and will not hurt the cat.
- Is it better to let a cat outside?
- It is safest if your cat remains indoors. There are lots of things you can provide an indoor cat to help it remain active – carpeted condos to climb, window shelves and interactive toys to play with. If you want your cat to get fresh air, we recommend a safe outdoor enclosure, a screened in back porch or teach your cat to walk on a leash.
For more, see Inside versus Outside.
- Where can I get cheap Spay/Neuter?
- There are many programs for free and low cost spay/neuter in our area for both owned animals and ferals. Visit www.sacanimal.org for ongoing programs and the county web site www.saccountyshelter.net. Not fixing your animal because it's too expensive should not be a factor.
Also call 916-808-SPAY for more resources.
- Is it better to get a kitten or an adult?
- The choice of a kitten or adult depends on your household and resident pets. We normally recommend matching energy levels. So, if you have an older cat, you would want to get a cat with a low energy level. An older cat usually does not do well with one kitten because the kitten will pester the older one to play and stress the older cat to where it may begin to hide or have behavioral problems. If you really want a kitten, we recommend having 2 kittens that can play with each other making it a much more enjoyable situation. If you are looking for an “easy” pet or an only pet, a kitten is not recommended as they require lots of time and attention and they can become bored and destructive if left alone for long periods of time. We also do not recommend getting a kitten under 6 months of age if you have children under 6 years of age.
- Do you have kittens?
- We normally have kittens between June and December. Since kittens are adopted so quickly, we do not put them on our website so please call and ask about our availability of kittens.
- I have young children. Can I adopt a kitten?
- If you have a child under 6 years of age, we will recommend you adopt a cat 6 months or older. This is for the safety of the child and the kitten. We will want to see how the child interacts with the kittens to make the determination.
- I am a Senior Citizen. Can I adopt a kitten?
- We want to see all of our kittens go into lifelong homes. Cats can live 15-20 years and that should be part of your consideration in adopting a kitten. Also consider whether you have family members who would be willing to give the kitten a home should something happen to you. Kittens are EXTREMELY active and have a way of finding creative ways to get into trouble. If you have your heart set on a kitten, we would strongly recommend you adopt 2 kittens. For those who have mobility issues, we strongly recommend adult cats. We have many senior cats that just need a nice place to "retire." If you might consider being a long term foster for a senior kitty, let us know and we can discuss our "Seniors 4 Seniors" possibilities.
- Are older cats more expensive to maintain?
- As cats age, they can develop age related medical issues, just like people and some can be costly. This doesn’t mean that every older cat will need extensive medical care. Veterinary care is a part of pet ownership and the cat’s health care should be maintained throughout its life, not just when it gets sick. Of course, the cost of veterinary care should always be considered before adoption.
Petfinder has great pet insurance through Pet Health First. Info on this program is located HERE on the Petfinder site and is $5.00 for the first month (for adopted animals) and $14.95 thereafter. There is no age limit. Good for young and old animals and can be cancelled at any time.
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