This document outlines the criteria and procedures for evaluating and determining the disposition of cats and kittens impounded at the Orange County Animal Care shelter. It establishes guidelines for assessing health, age, and temperament to decide if animals are suitable for foster care, adoption, rescue, veterinary transfer, or euthanasia. All cats must be properly housed and receive medical exams. Young healthy kittens may be placed in foster care while sick or injured animals are kept in the treatment room for up to 5 days to see improvement before final disposition is decided. The document aims to standardize procedures for maintaining cats at the shelter.

1. Number: 400.29
SUBJECT: Criteria for Maintaining Cats Page: 1
Date: 4/4/07
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, D.V.M., Director Revised: 9/24/15
I. PURPOSE
To establish a uniform procedure for the evaluation and disposition of cats and
kittens impounded at OC Animal Care.
II. POLICY
All cats and kittens shall be evaluated by Shelter Services staff based on age,
health and temperament. Decisions regarding foster care, rescue adoption,
veterinary transfer, or public adoption shall be made by designated employees
following medical and temperament assessments and in accordance with
established agency procedures.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to all employees responsible for medical and temperament
assessments and disposition of cats.
IV. FORMS
Medical Waiver
V. REFERENCES
Not applicable.
VI. DEFINITIONS
Not applicable.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. The following criteria shall be used to determine which animals based on
weight, retention, health and behavior may be placed for adoption, sent to
foster, rescue, veterinary partner or euthanized.

2. Number: 400.29
SUBJECT: Criteria for Maintaining Cats Page: 2
Date: 4/4/07
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, D.V.M., Director Revised: 9/24/15
1. All cats/kittens shall be properly identified and maintained in
appropriate cat cages designated for their status (i.e., Treatment,
Isolation, Receiving, Nursery, Vet X). All cats will be examined
and evaluated upon intake and throughout the retention period.
2. All cats in Receiving cages shall be transferred, within 10-hours of
impound, to appropriate cages immediately after initial exam by
the Veterinary staff.
3. Kittens weighing at least 1.5 pounds, eating on its own, no signs or
symptoms of illness shall be considered for the Foster Program
based on space availability and placed in the Community Outreach
Team (COT) nursery.
If one member of a litter is less than 1.5 pounds, is thrifty and
seems well feed and healthy, it can be placed with the rest of the
litter.
The Supervisor on duty will communicate with the COT staff on
the day of impound for those animals that need the special
handling and place a note on the Animal ID for the litter
referencing all important information.
4. During the retention period, a pregnant cat may be reserved for
adoption by an approved rescue organization. If no reservations
are placed, the cat shall be set for spay surgery on the day it
becomes available for adoption. The cat will be available for
public adoption while waiting to be spayed.
5. Queens with litters shall be re-evaluated at the end of their
retention period for suitability as adoption, foster, rescue, transfer
or euthanasia candidates.
6. Any cat/kitten demonstrating any signs/symptoms of illness once
the retention period has been met shall be evaluated and
disposition will be determined by treatment necessary and
temperament.

3. Number: 400.29
SUBJECT: Criteria for Maintaining Cats Page: 3
Date: 4/4/07
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, D.V.M., Director Revised: 9/24/15
7. Any cat/kitten demonstrating any signs/symptoms of illness prior
to the retention period being met shall be placed in the treatment
room.
8. All cats/kittens which are required to be housed in any area not
accessible to the public due to a medical condition, temperament
issue or age that have not met legal retention, whether stray or
owned, shall have a picture posted on the display board and shelter
website. If any of these cats/kittens become adoptable, they will
be moved to a publicly accessible area of the shelter.
9. With exception to any discrepancies found in any screen upon
review, any cat/kitten set for euthanasia during morning processing
shall be euthanized, unless cleared by OC Animal Care staff
responsible for creating morning Euth-Pre Report.
10. Should any cat/kitten become ill after spay/neuter surgery, the
adopter shall be contacted and notified of the animal’s condition.
Depending on the condition, the veterinarian may provide
medication to administer at home. The adopter may also be given
the option of choosing another animal or continuing treatment off-
site at their expense. The adopter shall sign a Medical Waiver
accepting responsibility for treatment.
11. Should an animal become ill within one week of adoption, the
adopter may return the animal to the shelter for treatment,
exchange the animal for another, or seek care at a private
veterinarian at their own expense.
12. All cats/kittens adopted from OC Animal Care shall be
spayed/neutered prior to being released to the new owner.
A spay/neuter deposit (equal to the full cost of a spay/neuter
surgery) shall be obtained with the adoption of any unaltered
animal in need of additional medical attention. The animal will be
released with the understanding that the adopter will return the
animal for surgery when it is well and at 2.5 pounds.

4. Number: 400.29
SUBJECT: Criteria for Maintaining Cats Page: 4
Date: 4/4/07
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, D.V.M., Director Revised: 9/24/15
A Medical Waiver shall be used for individual adopters and for
individuals adopting unaltered animals who are associated with a
rescue group with a 501(c) 3 status.
13. Space provided, staff shall have the discretion to treat sick/injured
animals that have met retention based on the following criteria:
a. Cats under treatment must show signs of improvement
within 5 days to remain in the treatment room. The
veterinary staff will re-evaluate/change medication if the
cat is not showing signs of improvement.
b. Seven cages (fifteen percent) must remain available for
incoming sick cats. Once the treatment room becomes
filled, the veterinarian staff shall determine which
cats/kittens will no longer be treated based on response to
treatment.
Note - Decisions concerning euthanasia are difficult for all those involved, but can be
especially troublesome for the Shelter Services staff responsible for caring for the
cats. Disrespect, intentional or otherwise, will not be tolerated. OC Animal Care staff
that may deliver or observe underage and sick animals in the clinic shall act in a
professional manner.