Operation Catnip is an exceptional organization for many reasons. I have volunteered with them since 2003. They provide an exceptional service to the community by the no-cost spay/neuter and rabies vaccinations that they provide. I can personally attest to the fact that the wonderful people that volunteer with Operation Catnip always go the extra step in ensuring that these cats are very well cared for while in their hands for the short time that they are there. Cats are not only spayed or neutered and vaccinated, but they also are given a flea repellent and each one is given a thorough exam and any apparent wounds are then cleaned and/or treated accordingly.

They are exceptional for the services that they provide for these deserving animals that have otherwise been discarded by the rest of society. This organization gives these deserving fellow creatures the respect and opportunity to live out their lives as healthily as possible. Thanks should also be given to the caretakers that feed and shelter them on a regular basis. Although they may technically not be considered volunteers, Operation Catnip would not be able to do it's job without them. While volunteers tend to them when they come to the clinic, it's the caretakers who volunteer their time on a daily basis. Operation Catnip could not have the impact that it does without them.

Operation Catnip is a fantastic organization providing a valuable service to the feral cats of central VA. They provide a very open environment, encouraging people to truly understand their mission - to humanely prevent overpopulation of feral cats.

Operation Catnip is a TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) program. My husband and I have been using Operation Catnip since it opened in Richmond back in 2001 and have been volunteering there as well. Operation Catnip spays/neuters feral cats for free. The people who volunteer and who take care of the cats (caretakers) are the greatest people you will ever find in wanting to help the cat population. This is an excellent way for cats to live out the rest of their lives rather then being euthanized.

I have been volunteering with Operation Catnip for over a year now and I am still amazed at what can be accomplished in just one day. Once a month, a group of volunteers spay/neuter anywhere from 50 to 80 feral cats. Cats that would otherwise never get any veterinary care at all. The cats recieve vaccines, a physical, deworming, defleaing, and other care, as well as being spayed or neutered. I know that we are not changing the world. We are however making our little piece of the world a kinder and more humane place. And for a feral cat struggling to survive, I suppose we are changing their world.

I started researching ferals when a white and orange cat showed up in the yard (thought it was a male) Of course I fed it well tho it would come nowhere near. It disappeared for a number of days, returned thinner, thought it had been locked in an out building... silly me... I'd learned about Catnip from an info table at a cat show and later ran into a volunteer at a pet food store who said I should volunteer and I did. That was 6 years or so ago. Catnip is well run and the volunteers are very dedicated. TNR is the way to go. That original cat and her 3 kids still live out back and have a better quality of life since the breeding cycle was stopped.

When we relocate to VA 10 years ago there was a feral kitten in our backyard. We have three of our own cats and I knew she needed to be spayed. I found an article on Operation Catnip and called them to set up an apt. They lent me a trap and we successfully caught "Whity" on the first try. Having moved up from Fayetteville, NC where there isn't much care or education about animals except euthanization I was so impressed by the care and knowlege this group had. I decided to volunteer which is what keeps this organization going. They are professional in all they do and have certainly made a difference to feral colonies in the area. We still have our white feral cat today! It took 5 years for her to trust us but she comes for attention everyday after she eats. I also helped a friend trap and release about 8 cats her mom had been feeding. Prior the females would have kittens-some would stay and they never knew what happened to the others. It was such a relief for her to know that the population would not increase. I cannot say enough good things about them and all they do as the voice for feral cats.

The people who are involved with this organization are amazing! They all come together and work so hard for these beautiful creatures! The work we do helps save and perserve the lives these cats and give them a healthy leg up to live in their colonies. The point of this organization is to help control the population and health of the colonies. It is sad that these creatures are dropped off and abandoned by those humans who are not responsible. It is harmful to the cats and their colonies along with the caretakers who do their very best to help control unwanted births.

Since Feb. 2003, Operation Catnip has been a great help altering strays and ferals in several colonies. This also includes cats dumped on my property. I can't afford to pay out of pocket for all of them, so I am very thankful that OC is a free resource.

Janette R

I have been volunteering for about 2 years. I have been doing TNR for 8 years. I found out about Operation Catnip from one of the volunteers. We now trap every month together and then volunteer at the clinic

I originally found Operation Catnip upon moving to Richmond, when I noticed that there was a large group of feral cats near hotels around the airport. As an owner of former feral cats myself; I had always wanted to get involved in the Trap-Neuter-Return community, and Operation Catnip has never ceased to amaze me with their tireless efforts to help as many cats as possible. What they are able to do with sheer determination, dedication, drive and low resources is astounding. I was so impressed that I decided to volunteer and have done so for about a year now. Great care is taken to evaluate and treat each cat, even when over a hundred appear. By focusing on the feral cat population specifically, they fill an integral gap in community cat care not only in Richmond, but its many outlying areas.