History

A group of veterinarians in Portland, Oregon studied the local feral cat population problem and determined that a trap-neuter-return program was the only effective way to reduce feral cat population in the area. In March 1995 these veterinarians founded the Feral Cat Coalition of Portland (FCCP), and had 501c3, non-profit status by May.

FCCP started with $1,000 from private donors, 15 surgical packs and an anesthesia machine donated from our local animal control. At the first clinic, held in June 1995, we spayed/neutered 16 cats and it took us all day! For nearly three years, FCCP held monthly spay/neuter clinics at various Portland area vet hospitals: on Sundays when they were closed.

In June 1997, FCCP received a $82,000 grant from the Leonard X. Bosack and Bette M. Kruger Foundation which enabled us to purchase and fully equip a mobile veterinary hospital to serve feral cats. With the delivery of the mobile clinic in February 1998, we officially changed the name of the organization to the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon (FCCO). Our new name reflected our dedication to caring for cats throughout the state. We now hold an average of three clinics per month throughout Oregon caring for 3,000 feral cats per year.

Our mobile hospital was the first of its kind in North America and remains the only mobile hospital serving exclusively feral cats. We are proud of the volunteers, donors and staff that make this program a success in ending cat overpopulation in our state.