General Questions

My Cat Needs Medical Care, Can SFOF Help Pay for that?

At this time our mission is to help the cats that have no homes or owners find homes. The funding that we receive is limited, and can only be used for the kitties that are currently in our adoption program.

The only medical care that we do receive funding for, that does not go into our adoption program, is for our low cost spay & neuter voucher program. At this time there is no funding to help pet owners with their medical bills.

Here is a list of organizations that do have the mission to help pet owners cover medical expenses. We will do our best to keep this list as updated as possible. You may also wish to contact some of your local veterinary clinics as they may be aware of some other local resources.

Care Credit: No Interest Payment Plan for Veterinary Care (credit card)
http://www.carecredit.com/

BEST SITE FOR ANOTHER RESOURCE LIST
http://www.rosesfund.org/financial-resources.html

For other possible resources, please visit the Animal Friends Rescue Project Website

OTHER IDEAS TO HELP WITH VET BILLS:

Chip-Ins or Crowd Funding

Many on-line friends will be more than willing to “chip-in” for veterinary medical expenses…many rescuers do this when they rescue a pet but have staggering vet bills…so..maybe do a chip-in yourself? Explain what you need it for…vet medical bills

My Cat Got Out / Is Lost…What Do I do?

The first thing you want to do is to make sure that your information is updated with the rescue/microchip company, if your cat has a microchip.

Put out the cats dirty litter box, bedding or anything that smells strongly of home. Put it on your front porch or in the back yard, where ever you think the cat will most likely have gone.

Check with all of your neighbors within a 5 block radius of your home, indoor cats tend to not travel very far. If it was a warm day when they went missing, ask those neighbors to check garages, out buildings or other places that the cat may have wandered into and gotten closed in.

  • Make simple flyers to post around your neighborhood and take to local vet offices, shelters and rescues.
  • Make sure that you state where the cat was last seen, not your exact address, but the cross streets and neighborhood.
  • Give people a way to contact you if they see your cat (phone numbers are faster)
  • Give people your name (first name is fine) & the name of cat
  • State if the cat is friendly or shy.
  • Will the cat let a person touch or catch it?
  • Have a good clear picture of the cat on it as big as possible.
  • Post the flyer information and photo on the Lost and Found Pets of Salem Oregon, Facebook page.
  • Please also post this information to our Facebook page.

Is Salem Friends of Felines considered a No-Kill Shelter?

The term No-Kill means different things to many different people throughout the nation.

Over the years, it has become clear that very few can agree on the exact definition, and the use of the words No-Kill creates controversy. Some organizations use the term to indicate that no animals are ever euthanized within their facilities, and others use the term to mean that they only euthanize untreatable or animals that cannot be rehabilitated and placed in a home safely, while others define No-Kill as successfully saving over 90% of the animals that enter their shelter.

Salem Friends of Felines looks beyond the definition controversy and focus on the kittens and cats in our care by doing everything possible to save their lives and help build a community that has the same compassion and respect that we do for the cats.

Our rescue never puts a time limit on how long a cat can be in the shelter, and when possible with a good outcome, we provide treatment for cats requiring extra care. For the past decade, we have successfully saved more than 93% of the kittens and cats that have come into our rescue. Those that have left us were either too sick, too dangerous, or beyond our ability to treat.

What is SFOF’s euthanasia policy?

Salem Friends of Felines is a Life Saving organization, where kittens and cats are safe and well cared for; where all life is affirmed and respected.

We reserve euthanasia only for cats that are dangerous, experiencing an unacceptably poor quality of life, or ill or injured beyond our capacity to treat.

These decisions are taken very seriously, and only made after all other options have been exhausted. Euthanasia is carried out by a licensed veterinarian at their own practice location, with dignity, compassion and respect to the cat.

What other No Kill Shelters are in Oregon?

Here is a link to a web site that keeps a list we believe stays current.

Where Do Your Cats Come From?

Our cats come from people in our community here in Marion & Polk counties. Most of these cats are found and a small number come from owners that cannot keep their cat or they didn’t spay their cat and now have babies they cannot keep.

Cats also come from neighborhood trapping by folks that are out doing Trap, Neuter & Return Projects and have been found to be human friendly and a good candidate for adoption.

How do you Know that the Cat Doesn’t Have an Owner?

We must rely on what we are told by the person that brings the cat in. We always scan every cat & kitten for a microchip, to see if it is owned and hold it for at least 2 days to give owners the opportunity to claim their cat.

I think I see My Cat on Your Page, How Do I Get it Back?

We always scan every cat & kitten for a microchip, to see if it is owned and hold it for at least 2 days to give owners the opportunity to claim their cat.

If it has been longer than two days, you would need to pay the adoption fee.

The cat will have received all of our standard services given to every adoptable cat, and you will have the peace of mind knowing that your cat now has a microchip so it will always be identifiable if it gets out again.

I Have a Cat that I Need to Surrender, What Do I Do?

Our shelter is a “Limited Admissions” facility due to space restrictions and funding.

  • We are only able to accept homeless cats and unwanted kittens when there is enough room in our shelter or in our limited number of foster homes.
  • We can only accept cats that are considered “adoptable”, we cannot take cats that are feral/wild or unfriendly to humans.
  • We are also not able to take large numbers of teen (7 months to a year) or adult cats (1 yr +). We simply do not have the room or financial resources to take in large numbers of older kitties at any one time. Since kittens adopt out faster and our foster homes are set up for kittens (under age 7 months) we are able to, in most instances, find a way to take those in, but during kitten season (March to September) we may have to wait until space opens up.
  • If we are able to accept a homeless cat or unwanted kitten(s) we will do so only by appointment.
  • We do request that you make a donation of at least $25.00 (per kitty) to help offset some of the medical costs we will have to expend just to intake the kitty you bring in.
  • We will contact you only if we have the room to take in the kitten(s) or homeless cat you have contacted us about. We will hold your email or contact sheet for 30 days, if we have not contacted you in that time about being able to take the homeless cat or unwanted kitten(s). You would need to resend your email request or call again to get put back on the wait list after 30 days.
  • To get started, you must fill out our Intake Request form.

You can also contact Willamette Humane Society. They can take strays and owned cats of all ages. Please visit their website for more information on current programs. Willamette Humane Society. 

If you’re considering surrendering your cat because of a behavior, PLEASE go to the After Adoption Help Resource FAQs part of this page.
You may find a way to resolve the issue there so you can keep your cat.

I Just Found Out I’m Pregnant, Will You Take My Cat?

First off we want to say CONGRATULATIONS!!

The Good News we have to share is that you DO NOT NEED TO GIVE UP YOUR BELOVED CAT!

Your doctor may have recommended that you get rid of your cat because of a possible exposure to a parasite known as toxoplasmosis, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “people are more likely to get [toxoplasmosis] from eating raw meat or from gardening.”

Like many of us, I’m sure you regard your cat as your child or first baby. Your cat loves you and depends on you to always be there for them, just as a child would, so there is no need to turn it away or get rid of this loved family member. You just need to take a few simple and easy precautions during your pregnancy to avoid exposure to the toxoplasmosis parasite.

Facts

  • The parasite is transmitted by getting it in your mouth.
  • Exposure can happen in a garden or child’s sandbox.
  • Cats get toxoplasmosis from eating contaminated raw meat, birds, mice, or soil. Within the feline population, this would be limited to outdoor cats who hunt and eat rodents, as well as cats who are fed raw meat by their owners.
  • People can contract toxoplasmosis from infected, undercooked meat, especially pork, lamb, and venison.
  • You can contract it by eating food that was contaminated by knives, utensils or cutting boards that have had contact with raw, contaminated meat.
  • Once a cat has been infected with toxoplasmosis, he typically acquires immunity and can only rarely get re-infected. So, normally, it is only during a cat’s first exposure that he will excrete the infection that requires an incubation period of one to five days.
  • If you’ve had toxoplasmosis once, you can’t catch it again. And if you live with cats, the likelihood is even higher that you’ve already contracted the disease and become immune to it.

What Every Pregnant Woman Should Do

  • Whenever you are gardening or touching sand in a sandbox – wear gloves and wash your hands right away.
  • Wash all uncooked vegetables thoroughly.
  • Avoid all undercooked meats.
  • Wash all cutting boards and utensils that might have come in contact with meat before using them.
  • Keep cats indoors to avoid exposure to infected wildlife and the feces of stray cats.
  • Feed cats only canned or dried commercial food or well-cooked table food, not raw or undercooked meats.
  • Avoid changing cat litter if possible. If no one else can perform the task, wear disposable gloves when you change the litter, throw the gloves away after each use, and wash your hands well with soap and water afterward.
  • Your veterinarian can answer any other questions you may have regarding your cat and risk for toxoplasmosis.

Reference Materials

  • Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
  • The Baby Center
  • The Humane Society of the United States

Is There a Fee to Surrender A Cat?

If we are able to accept a homeless cat or unwanted kitten(s) we will do so only by appointment. We do request that you make a donation to help offset some of the medical costs we will have to expend just to intake the cat you bring in.

It costs an average of $350 for us to care for a cat from intake to adoption.

Suggested Donation Amounts

  • Cat – $25
  • Litter of Kittens – $50

My Cat Was Adopted From SFOF and I Need to Bring it Back, What Do I Do?

If your cat was adopted from Salem Friends of Felines and you have tried to find it a home with friends or family and that has not worked:
Please make sure to call us to make an appointment to bring the cat in. Shelter phone number 503-362-5611. 
We always take back cat that were adopted from us.
Make sure to state in your message that the cat was adopted from Salem Friends of Felines.
Please give us the year the cat was adopted and if you remember the name we gave it, that will help us locate the records in our files.
Please do not take the cat to any other shelter, or give it away on Craig’s List or other social media sites (many free animals end up as bait animals or food).

I We know that the list is long and not manageable, we do encourage you to get on as many waiting lists as you can. Another option is to rehome your pet yourself. A great resource is rehome.adoptapet.com they can walk you through the process in a few easy steps! The best part is YOU get to pick your pets new home!

If you’re considering surrendering your cat because of a behavior, PLEASE go to the After Adoption Help Resource FAQs part of this page.

You may find a way to resolve the issue there so you can keep your cat.

My Cat is Old and I Cannot Keep it – Should I Surrender It to You?

If your kitty is over the age of 8 years, it is in its Senior years.

Please reconsider trying to place the kitty into any kind of shelter as it is VERY HARD on them.

Older cats have trouble competing with the many young kittens available for adoption. Cats that spend long periods of time at the shelter may become sick and stressed, or even shut down and become so ill that they are beyond treatment.

We know that the list is long and not manageable, we do encourage you to get on as many waiting lists as you can. Another option is to rehome your pet yourself. A great resource is rehome.adoptapet.com they can walk you through the process in a few easy steps! The best part is YOU get to pick your pets new home!

My Kitty Passed Away is There a Place I Can Take Her? 

Yes! We are sorry for your loss, losing a fur baby is never easy. Our friends at Heavenly Wings can assist you with the care, support and consideration you may need during this time of grief and loss of your loved pet. Please call for an appointment. 503-507-2338.

I Have Feral/Outdoor Cats that I Want to Care For, How Can I Help Them?

Thank you for caring enough to look out for these cats! Even though you don’t technically own them, there are many ways you can help.

Here are some great resources and links for you.

  • Providing Food & Fresh water are the first steps to helping build trust in these cats.
  • Check out The Hungry Cat Food Bank Facebook page to donate or request food help.
  • Summer Feeding & Care Tips
  • Winter Feeding & Care Tips
  • Get them all Spayed & Neutered!
    Get help and other resources from the Marion Polk Community Cat Program
  • How to Care for a Colony Web Site

Here is a great resource for providing shelter against the weather. At this site there are many options from purchasing shelters to making them.

I Need Help With a “Feral/Non-Human Friendly” Cat, Who Can Help Me?

First we would like to Thank You for caring enough to inquire about helping this cat.

Even though it may be scared or not accepting of human touch, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t deserve love and care.

We no longer provide Trap Neuter & Return (TNR) services directly from our facility. The Willamette Humane Society does have programs as well as the Feral Cat Coalition. 

I Need a Place for My Cat to Live for a Few Weeks/Months, Can You Board it For Me?

Since we are a shelter and rescue, we cannot board cat. We have limited space and need to use that for cats that have been surrendered to us to place up for adoption,

Our foster homes are used for kittens that are too young to place for adoption or for medically needy cats while they recover. We have a limited number of foster homes so we cannot use them for cats or kittens that are not a part of our adoption program.

If you need to board your cat here are a few resources that can help you, just click on the link to be directed to the web page. If there is no web page, we have included a phone number you can call. All are subject to change.

  • Penelope Paw Prints, Salem, OR –  503.851.5377
  • Catopia – Salem, OR
  • PetVillage – Salem, OR
  • VCA – Salem, OR
  • Animal Inn – Salem, OR
  • Woodburn Vet Clinic Boarding Services

I Have to Go Out of Town, Can You Have Someone Drop By to Care for My Cats?

Unfortunately, we cannot provide a service like this.

Here are a few places that can help you with these types of services. Just click the name to be directed to the web page, if there is no page we have provided their contact information. All are subject to change.

  • The Pet Nana – Salem, OR
  • Animal House Pet Sitting – Salem, OR (503) 581-6313
  • All Creatures Under the Sun Pet Sitting – Salem, OR

Can You Help Me Find Pet Friendly Housing?

Please check out these Pet Friendly Apartment Help websites: