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 - the first of its kind in North America. 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 held clinics in eight different cities, helping cats from more than 20 counties in Oregon and Washington.

From 2008 through 2015 we shifted from being mobile to operating a free-standing clinic. This allowed us to improve our efficiency and nearly double our capacity, and to be more sustainable.

In March 2015 we purchased our first building with funds from an angel donor. Our first clinic in this new location in South Portland took place in January 2016. In April 2016 we began offering low-cost services for pet cats (these services are currently on hold). Today we help more than 7,000 cats per year.

We are proud of the volunteers, donors and staff that make this program a success and improve the lives of cats in our community.