Cats with ears tipped...

Question

If a shelter picks up a cat with tipped ears, what do they do with it? I know it's a sign to show the cat has been fixed and is up to date on shots, but do they release the cat or keep it at the shetler to be adopted/pts?

Answer 1

Our shelter can check the microchip in the cat and find out who brought it in to be neutered/spayed, then contact them about the cat. Usually a tipped ear means the cat is feral and being taken care of as part of a colony. They have records of the person doing the colony, the area the cat comes from, the date the cat was fixed, etc.

If it's a feral, it's not deemed adoptable unless someone has worked with the cat to socialize it to humans.  Housepets would not be ear tipped.

Answer 2

I'm sure they aren't going to just release it back out into the street.

They may try to find a micro-chip, or allow it to stay for a certain amount of time giving a rightful owner a chance to find it.

If no one claims it I imagine it will go up for adoption.

Hopefully it's a no-kill shelter.

Answer 3

Depends on how people-friendly the cat is.  Shelters will do Trap-Neuter-Return.  But if the cat is very people-friendly, the shelter might adopt it out, instead.

And usually, shelters don't go pick up cats - that would be the local Animal Control.  Their policies are most likely completely different.  You would need to speak to animal control in your area if you aren't seeing one of your regular strays.

Answer 4

Well it just depends on the shelter and the cat. Usually this is done to feral cats by the TNR program. Most shelters will know that the cat will be fine so they may release it. If it's a friendly cat or a cat that is in danger(from neighbors or whatever) then they may keep it and put it up for adoption