FAQ

The Meow Mobile is a mobile spay and neuter clinic for cats. It is a fully equipped surgery center on wheels, ready to provide the safest possible sterilization procedures for cats and kittens. We can also provide vaccinations and basic wellness care for cats.

 

 

The Cat Network, Inc., is a 501(c)3 Florida not-for-profit organization that has raised over $150,000 to help cover the costs associated with the vehicle purchase, maintenance, and ongoing operation.

 

 

The Meow Mobile travels to various communities within Miami-Dade county, approximately twice a week. The current schedule can be found by clicking here.

 

 

Current prices and fees can be found by clicking here. We are able to offer affordable pricing thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and donors.

 

 

The Meow Mobile operates at a slight loss in order to encourage the public to trap and sterilize the community cats in their neighborhoods. So our prices are discounted already. Occasionally, we offer FREE or lower cost events, which are advertised in advance.

 

 

Spayed and neutered cats live longer, healthier lives. Male cats don’t roam or fight with other cats and stop spraying their strong-smelling urine. Female cats can’t produce unwanted litters of kittens. It also prevents pyometra (uterus infection) as well as cancer of the uterus and ovaries in females, and cancer of the testicles and prostate in males.

 

Approximately 500,000 homeless cats are currently living on the streets and alleys of Miami-Dade county. According to the Humane Society of the United States, two breeding cats and their offspring can produce over 420,000 cats in 7 years. Through spaying and neutering, we can help reduce the numbers of homeless cats in South Florida.

 

 

There is usually no limit, though we do ask that you make an appointment in advance and let us know how many cats you will be bringing. For special events, we may set a maximum of four cats per event.

 

 

Send us an e-mail or call (305) 233-9958 and leave a message on our voice mail system. Your call will generally be returned within 24-72 hours, depending on call volume. E-mail is preferred and you will generally receive a faster response via e-mail.

 

 

Yes, we can still spay a pregnant female cat. We provide additional fluids and extra pain relievers to pregnant cats to compensate for the larger skin incision and fluid loss. Spaying a pregnant female prevents the unwanted births of even more kittens for which there are not enough homes.

 

 

Yes. However, if a female cat is nursing kittens and there is an option to delay the surgery, we prefer to wait until the kittens are fully weaned (usually at 6-8 weeks of age), so that the mother’s milk production and ability to nurse is not affected. Ideally, nursing mothers should be kept indoors as they can get pregnant again soon after giving birth.

 

 

Feral and stray cats that are not accustomed to being handled or petted will need to be captured in a humane trap. Do not use a regular pet carrier or any cardboard carrier or box.

 

 

Guidelines for trapping cats can be found at Alley Cat Allies trapping page. You should make appointment arrangements with us in advance with us before trapping any cats. If you fail to catch the cat, please text us at 305-389-5345 to let us know.

 

 

Cats must be a minimum of 2 months of age, or 2 pounds in body weight to be spayed or neutered. Cats can start reproducing and get pregnant as early as 5 months of age, so we recommend the surgery be performed before this time.

 

 

Check-in time for all cats is 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. If you are getting vaccines only, please arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. 

 

 

Pick-up time for all cats is the afternoon of the same day of surgery. The exact time can vary depending on how many cats we have for the day and when your cat recovers from surgery. The technician will assign you a pick-up time when you drop off your cat. Please ensure you or someone you know will be available and flexible that afternoon to pick up your cat.

 

 

We can address basic health problems for cats that are concurrently receiving spay or neuter surgery. Please do not brig cats for surgery that are visibly ill. For cats that are not receiving spay/neuter surgery and are sick, we recommend you visit your regular veterinarian.

 

 

Vaccinations are available with or without spay/neuter surgeries. Vaccinations we can provide include rabies, 3-in-1 (FVRCP), and Feline Leukemia. Boosters are available for cats that have been recently spayed or neutered with us. Please bring your medical records with you.

 

 

-Testing for Feline Leukemia, FIV, and Heartworm, using a small blood sample.

-Microchipping

-De-worming (roundworms, hookworms, and/or tapeworms)

-Nail trimming

-Dispensing of medications if needed (vet must examine cat, if not previously seen)

 

 

Yes, we can spay and neuter pet cats, stray, and feral cats and kittens on the Meow Mobile.

 

 

Cash, check, or Cat Network certificates are accepted. We do not accept credit cards.

 

 

Yes, all cats receive the safest possible general anesthesia as well as pain relievers during spay/neuter surgery. We want to make sure they are comfortable and pain-free both during and after surgery.

 

 

Ear-tipping is a standard procedure for feral or stray cats that permanently identifies them (with a marking that is easily visible from a distance) as spayed or neutered. The tip of the left ear is clipped (see photo, inset) while the cat is under anesthesia for spay/neuter surgery. This is an internationally recognized procedure. We highly recommend it for all cats that go outside, and there is no charge to have it done. It can save their lives, and help communities and colony caretakers keep track of which cats are sterilized and which are not. Some animal control companies will ignore ear-tipped cats, allowing them to continue living where they are.

 

Indoor cats get out, indoor/outdoor cats wander off… What if your kids forget and leave the door open? Or visiting friends aren’t as careful about closing the doors as they should be? Cats that have always been good about staying around the house might suddenly have something catch their interest and wander off and become lost. Things happen.

Would you want your beloved pet subjected to unnecessary surgery if something unexpected happens in the future? Are you aware most often the only way to determine if a female cat has been spayed is to place her under anesthesia and open her up? Unnecessary spay/neuter surgeries happen every minute every business day at vet clinics across the country because there was simply no way to determine whether or not the cat was already sterilized. Do the right thing and eartip to ensure this never happens to your cat.

An eartip can also save a cat’s life. It is the universal symbol that a cat has been spayed/neutered. There are even eartipped cats in the Galapagos Islands! Members of the public are more likely to leave a cat in peace if they know it can’t reproduce and contribute to overpopulation problems.

Does eartipping hurt?
No! This simple and quick procedure is done while the cat is under anesthesia.

Are you worried eartipping will mar your cat’s looks?
Consider it a badge of honor that you are a responsible and educated pet owner. Your cat will wear it with pride!

 

Veterinarians licensed in the state of Florida and highly experienced with performing spay and neuter surgeries for cats take phenomenal care of our patients. The doctor is assisted by experienced veterinary technicians.

 

 

 

Generally speaking, we advise that you keep stray and feral cats indoors for 24 hours after surgery. A bathroom, enclosed patio, or outdoor sheltered enclosure can work well. Feral cats can be recovered safely after surgery in humane traps set atop newspaper; traps should always be kept covered with a sheet or towel to keep the cat calm and comfortable. The stitches used for surgery are all absorbable and will dissolve or fall out naturally on their own after several weeks.

 

 

Call the contact number you will be provided with on your discharge instruction sheet if there is a problem.

 

 

Sadly, no. The Cat Network does not have a shelter. We are a network of volunteers who attempt to adopt out friendly, rescued cats, and trap, neuter, and return stray cats which cannot be adopted or that we cannot foster. We cannot retrieve or accept cats from the public. We must all work together to end pet overpopulation. Everyone in our communities must promote spaying and neutering of pets and strays.

 

 

Membership applications can be filled out when you bring a cat to the Meow Mobile. We can honor the member spay/neuter prices the same day, if you complete the application and pay the membership fee at the mobile clinic. Membership in The Cat Network costs $35 a year, or $20 a year for senior citizens. Another option is to print and mail in the membership application to our central office. Processing your new membership through the mail can take several weeks. The member application can be found here.