The document provides guidelines for impounding cats at Orange County Animal Care Services. Key points: - It establishes procedures for receiving, identifying, examining, and housing cats impounded at the facility, including owner surrenders, strays, owned cats, orphaned kittens, and cats requiring quarantine. - For each cat received, an animal ID number and kennel number are assigned and recorded in the facility's database. Identification collars are placed on cats after initial examination. - Initial examinations are conducted by veterinary staff to verify details of each cat and administer vaccinations. Cats are then transferred to appropriate housing areas based on their intake status.

1. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 400.28
SUBJECT: GUIDELINES FOR IMPOUNDING CATS Page: 1
Date: 11/20/00
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Dierctor Revised: 11/28/06
I. PURPOSE
To establish a procedure for the impoundment and housing of all cats at Orange County
Animal Care Services (OCACS).
II. POLICY
It shall be the duty of all personnel charged with the responsibility of impoundment and animal
inventory control to accurately account for and provide proper identification for all impounded
cats.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to Field, Kennel and Veterinary Services.
IV. FORMS
Not applicable.
V. REFERENCES
Not applicable
VI. DEFINITIONS
Owner Surrender: Citizen relinquishing their owned pet.
Owned: A cat received having any form of identification or having owner information
provided by an outside party.
Stray: A cat received with no form of identification.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Receiving Owner Surrender, Stray and Owned Cats
1. For each cat received, an Animal ID number and Kennel Window as detailed in P&P
500.01 General Procedures of Chameleon and Kennel Window will be stored.
a. The Kennel No. will be reflected as "Clinic" during regular business hours.
During the P.M. shift the receiving cage number will be used. "Clinic" and

2. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 400.28
SUBJECT: GUIDELINES FOR IMPOUNDING CATS Page: 2
Date: 11/20/00
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Dierctor Revised: 11/28/06
“Receiving” are transitory designations until Veterinary staff examine the
animal and it is moved to a permanent cage for the duration of its stay.
b. All cats shall be transported to the clinic in a small animal carrier or animal trap.
c. Employees will only remove cats from a trap in a secure room to prevent
escape.
d. The cat's Animal ID number will be written on a collar band and placed on the
cat or attached to the animal carrier to identify the cat.
2. Cats surrendered by their owner or legal custodian for the purpose of euthanasia shall
have a completed and signed service request receipt affixed to their carrier. The receipt
must include the Animal ID.
3. Orphaned Kittens: All kittens received without their mother under eight (8) weeks of
age will be stored under one Animal ID number.
a. The animal age will state "L" for litter, the Kennel No. will reflect "Clinic" and
the number of kittens will be accounted for in total number of animals in the
Kennel screen.
b. The kitten(s) may be subject to immediate euthanasia or "Foster" based on
available space.
c. During the P.M. shift the kittens will be evaluated and if necessary, euthanized
by Field Sergeants or Field Supervision to prevent any further suffering.
d. Kittens received eight (8) weeks of age or older shall each have individual
Animal ID numbers stored, reflecting each kitten's individual description.
e. Guidelines for transport of the kittens to the clinic will be followed as stated in
section A. 1. c.
4. Queens: An Animal ID shall be assigned to the queen with a separate number assigned
to the litter.
d. The animal age will state "L" for litter, the Kennel No. will reflect "clinic" and
the number of kittens will be accounted for in total number of animals in the
Kennel Window.
e. Guidelines for transport of the queen and kittens to the clinic will be followed as
stated in section A. 1. c.

3. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 400.28
SUBJECT: GUIDELINES FOR IMPOUNDING CATS Page: 3
Date: 11/20/00
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Dierctor Revised: 11/28/06
5. Quarantines: Following the same guidelines section A. 1. a-d, noting the Intake status,
the cat(s) will be transported to clinic with a completed bite report. Contact with the
Clinic Veterinarian will be made for evaluation and further instruction.
B. Initial Examination by Veterinary Services
1. The Clinic Veterinarian or Animal Health Technician will conduct an initial exam and
administer vaccinations to each cat.
2. Verify the breed, color, sex, age and condition. Update any inaccuracies identified.
3. Scan for microchip or any other marks that may determine ownership.
4. Each cat shall be given an identification collar that has its assigned animal ID number
written on it. The identification collar is to be secured around the neck of the cat. In
the event the cat is too fractious or attaching the collar would be detrimental to the
safety of the animal or staff, the collar shall be attached to the animal’s cage door.
5. Housing: Upon the completion of exam and collaring of cat, the examining personnel
will transfer the cat to appropriate housing structure.
a. Staff shall refer to P&P 400.01 to determine the appropriate housing area
designated by intake status.
b. Veterinary staff shall update the Kennel No. to accurately reflect the cage in
which the cat was placed.