Feral Paws Rescue

By: Charlene Lee

The Central California SPCA takes in approximately 22,000 cats and kittens each year.

More than 70 percent of those cats are euthanized because they aren't able to find permanent homes.

A new process at the Central California SPCA is designed to decrease those numbers drastically.

It's called Feline-ality and it's meant to match you up with your perfect pet cat.

Teresa Jackson of Fresno already had two cats at home, but she said that wasn't enough.

"I saw a commercial on TV for the SPCA, and knowing how many animals were living in shelters without permanent homes made me so sad. I knew I could provide them with a loving home, so I wanted more cats," said Jackson.

So she headed over to the Central California SPCA where she learned about the new Feline-ality process.

"I think it's a really good idea because it cuts out all the hassle," said Jackson.

This is how Feline-ality works. 

Potential adopters fill out a survey of questions ranging from what kind of household environment you have, to how you would want your new cat to interact with house guests.

Based on your answers, you get assigned a certain color: purple, orange or green.

Every cat that comes through the doors at the SPCA is assessed and grouped into a certain personality, and those personalities are categorized within the three colors.

From gentle and cuddly to adventurous and hyper, SPCA officials say Feline-ality will help you find a cat that best fits your needs.

"If you like to sit and read, you may want a cat that snuggles up next to you. Or if you have other pets in the house, you may want a cat that has no problem playing with the other animals," said Beth Caffrey, the Humane Education Director at the CCSPCA.

Bebe Erwin is one of two SPCA staff members who group the cats into the personalities.

"I don't feel any pressure. I feel very comfortable categorizing them. The more time you spend with them, the easier it gets," said Erwin.

Erwin spends a few hours with each cat over a time period of two days.

During that time, she performs a series of tests.

From learning where a kitten likes to be scratched to seeing what kinds of toys they enjoy playing with, Erwin is able to assign each cat to a certain personality.

The goal of Feline-ality is to cut down the number of cat returns.

"If the cat is returned back to the SPCA because it didn't work out with the owner, the cat will get depressed. It will affect their immunity and their health," said Caffrey.

Dr. Ramona Turner, a veterinarian at Fresno Cat Hospital, says cats are prone to stress-related injuries, and stress can easily lead to illness.

"They can end up with a respiratory infection or a urinary tract problem from the stress," said Dr. Turner.

If the cats are sick, they are less likely to get adopted.

"Depending on the severity of their sickness, they may have to be euthanized," said Caffrey.

The CCSCPA hopes Feline-ality will decrease the number of cats that are euthanized and the number of cat returns they see at the shelter each year.

The CCSPCA began using Feline-ality in December 2007 and officials say they have already seen a drop in the number of cat returns.

They are currently developing the same process for dogs, called Canine-ality, which they hope to start using in the spring of 2008.