ABOUT US

Operation Catnip is a non-profit, grass roots organization addressing the homeless cat population in Peterborough. We are not a registered charity.

Focused on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), our goal is to humanely limit the number of unwanted, unowned cats by trapping, neutering, vaccinating and releasing them back to where they were trapped.

A small number of animal-loving volunteers perform all the trapping and transporting duties.

In the first 10 years of trapping, Operation Catnip has served over 2100 cats in our community and the surrounding area through TNR and colony management strategies.

When we first started up in April 2013, our goal was 100 cats a year. Annually, we have surpassed that target number easily, showing just how great the need for this service is in our community!

We have NO office or “headquarters” but co-ordinate our work by phone, email, text and monthly meetings.

Over the years, our dedicated group of volunteers and colony caregivers have helped make a significant difference in the lives of feral and abandoned cats, giving them a chance at a better life and preventing the pain and suffering of compounding future generations; the number of cats we’ve served has reached the thousands!

We could not have come this far without the ongoing generosity of caring individuals who support our fundraising initiatives and donate.

Financial contributions are also an immense morale boost for our small, committed volunteer team, letting us know that we are not alone in acknowledging and recognizing the importance and inherent value of the work we do!

What We Do

Trap only on private property with a caregiver’s written consent.
Work with caregivers who feed and provide shelter from the elements for free-roaming, feral or abandoned cats.
Trap in Peterborough and, in good weather, within a 20-minute driving radius of the city.
Use humane live traps to catch feral and abandoned cats. The cat is kept in the live trap until surgery and then following surgery until it is ready to be released.
Provide supplies and written instructions to help if caregivers are willing to do their own trapping.
Make all appointments with the veterinarians who work with Operation Catnip.
Pay vet clinics for their services (minimum $180.00 per cat) which includes spay/neuter surgery, ear tipping, Rabies, FVRCP vaccination, flea/tick/worm treatment, etc. Operation Catnip pays an extra $15 to help cover costs of vaccines and treatments.
Ask caregivers to pay $180 for the first two cats, $140 for the next two cats and $110 for all remaining cats.

What We Don’t Do

Provide vet services for free.
Provide spay/neuter for pets.
Remove homeless cats from where they have found food and shelter.
Relocate cats from one area to another.
Lend our specialized traps unless we track their use and are involved in the trapping process.
Shelter animals. We are NOT a shelter. Local shelters are the Peterborough Humane Society and Lakefield Animal Welfare Society (LAWS).
Rescue. We are NOT a rescue group. We have no place to care for cats or kittens.