FR Intake Process:

1. Submit an application for the cat(s) in need.

2. The application is reviewed by FR Intake staff.

3. An Intake specialist is in contact within 2 weeks if intake is possible at that time.

4. If Intake is not possible within 2 weeks due to capacity, the cat is removed from the list.

(Note: if your email address is Gmail, Hotmail, or Outlook, you may need to adjust your settings to accept emails from felinerescue.org. Check your Spam/Junk Mail folder if you haven’t heard from us within 2 weeks.

It is a 2-4 week wait for intake at most rescues and shelters after inquiry or application. For best results, please contact multiple rescues to maximize the Intake opportunities in your area, and accept the first offer you receive.

How to Determine When a Found Cat is in Danger

The following are signs that a found cat needs assistance:

1. The cat may have a disheveled appearance due an unaccustomed life on the street: it does not have time to care for itself because it is struggling to find food.
2. The cat is partially or fully declawed, visually impaired, or deaf. These cats have difficulty catching prey, and/or are at greater risk of becoming the prey of other animals.
3. The cat has a microchip. Any local vet will check a cat for a microchip free of charge. A microchip indicates that the cat has/had an owner.
4. Someone witnessed the cat being abandoned by its owner or set outside during an eviction. Many owners with financial difficulties are facing the decision of abandonment vs. euthanasia when they lose their housing.
5. The cat is injured or ill.
6. The location where the cat was found is not safe for a cat to be outdoors.
7. The cat is a kitten under 3 months/3 lbs. and is without a mother, other adult cat, or human caring for it. Kittens should be left in place and monitored for 8 hours to see if their momma returns. She could simply be out foraging for food. Their momma is their best chance for survival. If momma doesn’t return, the kittens could be orphaned and may need help to survive.

A cat meeting any of these conditions should be brought to your local animal control. If your local animal control will not take it, then please contact your mayor (Minneapolis & St Paul) or local representative to request more funding for your animal control and then contact area rescues. Expect a 2-4 week delay to get into an area rescue. Please provide dry food, fresh water, a litter box and comfortable shelter in the meantime. A spare bedroom, bathroom or garage space can work for temporary holding.

Please plan ahead if you will be moving and cannot take your cat(s) with you. It is a 2-4 week wait for intake at most rescues and shelters after inquiry or application. For best results, contact multiple rescues to maximize the Intake opportunities in your area and accept the first offer you receive:

NOTE: We do not accept walk-in relinquishments of cats and we do not have on-call staff for emergency requests. Please contact SPAC (St. Paul) or MACC (Minneapolis) for urgent metro area Intake: they network with vet hospitals and rescues, including us.