Criteria for Holding a Clinic

FCCO clinic services are available for feral and free-roaming cats only, who have a dedicated caregiver. Pet cats do not qualify, nor do any cats living with a human family. Admitting these cats to an FCCO clinic will put the whole program at risk. The caregiver must call a local reservation phone line and answer FCCO screening questions on each cat they would like to bring. The caregiver is required to sign an FCCO Anesthesia Release Form stating that they are the caregiver, and that they understand and agree with FCCO policies including the ear tipping and testing policies, the risk of anesthesia, and the policy that any cat that appears to be suffering from a condition that they will not recover from (as determined by a veterinarian) may be euthanized. The caregiver does not need to be the person who traps the cats or the person who transports them to the clinic.

Community requesting an FCCO clinic provides:
Fundraising: Must be able to raise $30 per cat and $500 per clinic minimum (depending on location).
Volunteers: Secure 4 licensed veterinarians for each 4-hour shift. These vets must be able to perform a spay in 30 minutes or less, in a safe and competent manner.
Technicians: Must be able to secure a minimum of 4 veterinary technicians (including 2 CVTs) for each 4-hour shift.
Lay volunteers: Clinic coordinator or coordinating team, plus approximately 20 lay volunteers per shift.
Clinic site: Building of at least 1,000 sq. ft. with warm water in the facility, restroom, adequate electrical outlets, and sheltered area to stage the cats waiting for surgery and recovering from surgery. Parking area for the mobile clinic (truck) near the building, close to the entrance being used. The parking area should be flat, free of trees or other obstacles, and take into consideration size of the truck (24 feet long, 13'2" high)
Phone line: Cats are screened locally. The city needs to have a publishable phone number that can be used for screening cats for the clinic.
Cats: The clinic will have a minimum of 60 cats that have been pre-screened to ensure they qualify for an FCCO clinic (feral and free-roaming cats only).
Lunch: Vegetarian lunch for volunteers.
Mailings: Caregiver info packets, including the anesthesia release form, caregiver reservation form and directions to the clinic location are sent to each caregiver. Thank you notes are sent to volunteers after the clinic.
PR: Send out press release prior to clinic and for other PR as needed.
Teamwork: Organizers of the clinics will follow FCCO policies and procedures, and will respect the direction and authority of the FCCO Staff and Board of Directors.

FCCO provides:
Mobile clinic: FCCO pays for the costs to maintain the mobile clinic.
Two certified veterinary technicians (CVTs): Both will work a position at the clinic as well as provide training for the volunteers and ensure that the clinic runs safely and smoothly.
Supplies and equipment: All medical supplies and equipment are provided.
High volume spay/neuter method: Policies, procedures and protocols have been developed to create a high volume spay/neuter model that is efficient and provides both a respectful and high standard of care.
Forms and paperwork: The majority of documents needed are brought with the mobile clinic.
Annual Clinic Schedule: Clinic schedule is created by FCCO Operations Director with input from each city.
Reimbursement: Clinic Coordinators can receive up to $50 per clinic for specific expenses listed on the Clinic Coordinator job description.
Volunteer management support: Access to FCCO Operations Manager and Clinic Manager, job duty descriptions for all areas, volunteer schedules, volunteer recognition, applications and orientations.
Fundraising support: Access to FCCO Development Director and guidance.
PR support: Draft press releases, suggestions and guidance available.