A few frequently asked questions

  • The cost at our primary partner clinic is $29 per male cat and $69 per female cat. Please pay the full amount if you are able. If you are not, please let us know and we will try to help. You may pay prior to or during drop-off with cash, check (“Spay Our Strays”), PayPal (soscatsky), or Venmo (soscats). This includes the spay/neuter surgery, rabies vaccination, FVRCP vaccination, dewormer, flea/tick treatment & preventative, ear cleaning, and ear tip.

  • No, we do not relocate community cats. “Relocation is an absolute last resort and should only be considered if a cat is in imminent danger. Community cats bond to their outdoor homes and, if relocated, may try to find their way back. In some cases, cats have died in the process.” Read more on the Alley Cat Allies site.

  • Ear-tipping is the universal symbol of a community cat that has been evaluated, vaccinated, and sterilized. Ear-tipping allows observers to identify the community cat’s status and ensures that a sterile cat will not undergo unnecessary repeat trapping and surgery. All cats served through SOS are ear-tipped upon completion of their spay/neuter. Read more on the Neighborhood Cats site.

  • SOS does not provide pet adoption services or adopt out community cats. We encourage you to adopt from one of our partner organizations, who frequently take in kittens from our trapping projects: Lexington Humane Society, Halfway Home Rescue, Itty Bitty Kitten Rescue, Veterinarians to the Rescue, and Eastland Animal Clinic.

  • Our friends at Neighborhood Cats have extensive information and videos on successfully trapping cats for TNR surgery. Cats can be finicky, and not all will easily go into regular traps. Be prepared for all situations by reading Neighborhood Cats’ trapping guide.

  • We are based in Lexington and Nicholasville, Kentucky. Services are provided on a first come first serve basis with no prioritization given to county. The main points for consideration are schedule and logistics. Check out this list to find other low-cost spay/neuter options in Kentucky.

  • SOS is for unowned community cats only. If you have an unaltered pet cat, please make a s/n appointment directly with our low-cost partner Focus Veterinary Care in Nicholasville.