RASKC commends the Feral Cat Spay/ Neuter Project, a remarkable non-profit organization with locations in Lynnwood and Renton. This terrific organization has altered more than 135,000 cats!

FCSNP started in 1997 as a once-a-month clinic devoted only to feral/free-roaming cats at no cost. This organization now also alters tame cats from shelters, rescue organizations, and individuals. Cats from almost 60% of Washington’s counties have benefitted from FCSNP services.

The Feral Cat Spay/ Neuter Project also mentors groups who would like to launch a HQHV (High Quality, High Volume) spay-and-neuter clinic. In 2006, PetSmart Charities selected FCSNP to become a National Mentoring Organization. They awarded a generous grant to develop a website in order for other organizations to replicate FCSN’s model across the county and around the world.

FCS/NP is listed as one of the organizations (#9154) in King County’s Employee Giving Program.

RASKC recently interviewed Executive Director Amy Ferguson.

Please tell us about Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project.

FCSNP is a non-profit HQHCSN (High Quality, High Volume, low cost, Spay Neuter) clinic located in Lynnwood, along with a satellite location we operate in Renton in collaboration with South County Cats. We are incredibly proud of is the satellite clinic collaboration with South County Cats, which allows us to operate five days a week. For many years, one of our goals was to add on a day to our four-day-a-week schedule, so this opportunity allowed us to achieve this goal.

We will continue to do all we can to improve and grow the spay/neuter community. FCSNP envisions a future where all cats have access to affordable, high quality spay and neuter services.

We are focused on spay and neuter as the core of our mission, because we know that prevention is the key to pet overpopulation. We accomplish this with our clinic and our mentorship program.

We prioritize high-need cats, like feral cats and those that come from circumstances where their owners are not able to access affordable spay and neuter. Above all, we value that any cats that need our help should be able to access it.

We want to ensure that while that cat is here, they receive all the services possible so they can live the best life possible. We also take pride in ensuring the human clients get the right services and education for their cat.

FCSNP exists for the cats and the people who love them. While our work is incredibly valuable to the sheltering community, we also know that for cat caretakers, having access to spay and neuter is equally as important. From the “trappers” who practice TNR (trap, neuter, release) to the cat owners who want to do what’s right for the cat, we are here for all of it. We see ourselves a bit like kitty social workers! 

How has COVID affected Feral Cat Spay/ Neuter Project?

Before COVID, we were booked out months in advance. Like so many organizations, we had to temporarily close to stop the spread of COVID in March of 2020. We reopened after about six weeks, and since then have steadily built back up the number of cats we serve daily. Our daily capacity (amount of cats we alter in a day) is about 60-70% of where we were pre-COVID. 

What kind of help would your organization most like from the public?

There are so many ways the public can help – from donations of towels and cat carriers to monetary donations that keep the clinic functioning, it all makes a difference!

We also need volunteers to help in the clinic. FCSNP wouldn’t be here without our volunteers! Volunteers help directly in our clinic with the cats – on average, it takes at least four volunteers for every day we are open to operate, in addition to our administrative and event volunteers. Volunteers are at the core of our clinic. We are so grateful for them!