Published by: Ingrid King. Last Updated on: February 1, 2023 by Crystal Uys
An innovative Florida program that has been spaying, neutering, and vaccinating community cats since 1998 is about to share its successful model with the nation.
Founded by Dr. Julie Levy, director of the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, the trap-neuter-return (TNR) program known as Operation Catnip has been running free high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics for community cats in Gainesville for more than 16 years. Since its founding, the organization has cared for more than 45,000 cats. In 2014 alone, they helped 2,693 cats and prevented the births of a projected 6,142 kittens who might have been born to the now-sterilized cats in the first year following surgery.
Now, thanks to an educational grant from PetSmart Charities, they’re making their training program and materials available to veterinarians, veterinary students, and veterinary technicians from all over the U.S. “Our vision is to train an army of veterinarians to spay and neuter America’s community cats,” said Dr. Julie Levy, the founder of Operation Catnip and director of the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. “This approach, along with vaccination, will allow us to reduce cat population, control infectious diseases, and improve the lives of the cats.”
Operation Catnip clinics are operated along the lines of a MASH unit. The cats are trapped by community members, then brought to the clinic, where they’re cared for in stations staffed by volunteer veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students. Each cat is examined, spayed, or neutered, vaccinated against infectious diseases, treated for fleas and other parasites, given an identifying ear tip, allowed to recover, then returned to the location where she or he was trapped.
For more information, or to sign up for one of the upcoming training sessions, visit OperationCatnip.org.
About the author
Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital manager, and veterinary journalist who is passionate about cats.
I live in Hernando County, FL. I think all states should adopt operation Catnip…. catch, spay, neuter, release back everywhere. They clip a tiny tip of left ear so you can see animal is fixed…..wonderful to cut down in cats being killed and the population…
what a wonderful thing.. because shelter medicine can be very different from regular day to day clients
Sounds and looks like an amazing programs. Thanks for sharing it.
Such schemes cannot be praised highly
enough
There is one such on the Isle of Wight, UK that has proved very, very successful. Know the lady personal who runs this very small, very dedicated cat rescue centre, she is totally commited to cat welfare – our own three cats all came from her rescue centre.
Anyone interested enough can view her website at www.felinewelfareiow.co.uk
I personally cannot praise HER highly enough – and they seem to have had a particularly successful year with neutering in 2014
Thanks for sharing this resource for our readers in the UK, Margaret.
sounds like a great program. Where might one donate to this worthy cause?
Elaine Faber – author – Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer
I’m sure there’s information about how to donate on their website, Elaine.
This is fantastic! I’m going to share as well.
Thanks for sharing, Dawn!
What a wonderful idea
I’m so glad that programs like Operation Catnip exist. Here in Denver, we have spay/neuter mobiles that go to underserved communities to offer low-cost, subsidized spay/neuters and vaccinations to cats and dogs. Programs like these are helping control overpopulation, but there is still a long way to go. I hope that a lot of people will take advantage of the training sessions and learn how to help their community kitties.
Great idea. Sharing this on my page.
Thanks for sharing, Bernie.