How did you find your vet for ferals?

The group in my area that does the low-cost TNR's doesn't do regular vet care.   My own vet has said they are willing to, but have grown impatient with my cancellations as I've had so much trouble catching Patches.    I have an upcoming appointment for Patches and they tried to cancel on me because someone else needed an appointment that day - basically saying well you're likely to cancel anyway.   I'm a bit upset....I understand historically speaking I am more likely to cancel but I made my appointment weeks in advance.  I'm also a long-term customer there and have spent several thousand dollars with them.  I did manage to keep the appointment after some insistence.    But now I think long-term maybe this isn't the best vet to take my feral(s) to.    I already called one cat only clinic who said absolutely no ferals.   

So my question to you how did you find your feral friendly vet?   And how do you and they deal with the problem of making appointments which you can't be sure to keep due to feral cat wiliness?

Oh, that's a tough one.  I volunteer for a cat sanctuary that has an entire room just for ferals (and one for FIV, one for FeLK....), so they would be my first stop.

I would call any cat/dog sanctuaries in your area, including no-kill shelters; I would ask for a referral from the low cost s/n center as well as any SPCA.

Attached is a list of low cost s/n clinics by state; I would call the animal hospitals listed in your area and talk to the vet there.

Thanks for the ideas Ritz - guess I just need to get on that phone!    I read so often here about people who have vets that are flexible and say it's okay to bring a feral cat in when you happen to catch it, don't require appointments weeks in advance so I know they exist.... 

i am lucky that i have a large vet practice about 10 minutes away that is also a 24/7/365 hospital. while they are not "feral specialists" by any stretch they have been able to take one in on the same day since they have so many vets on staff. the pricing for a s/n (or any other work) is not discounted, but there is one vet that is a little more flexible.

unfortunately the practice is pretty much set in stone as far as abiding to their "procedures", meaning that i can not even get a dewormer unless they have seen the cat within the last year. even then it depends on which vet i happen to be dealing with - some want me to bring a fecal sample (yeah right, a fecal from a feral cat?:lol3 but some of them will just give it to me.


eta - if i am able to i have my local aco bring the cat in (for injury or sickness) since they do not charge a "doctors fee" for the town and will provide expired meds at no charge.

Whaler that sounds like a good set up!   My first feral trapping was Patches and her two kittens and back then I was close to a place like you describe a 24/7 emergency/regular vet clinic and they took her in right when I called.   I had no idea how lucky I was back then.    In good news, I've found an alternative back up vet!    I'm going to follow through with Patches' appointment since I fought with the first vet to keep it but after that I think maybe my feral business should go to this other vet.    Ferals just need a level of flexibility that a vet that is booked to the gills can't provide.    Wish me luck in trapping tonight!

Bummer about that vet treating you that way. I am lucky in that I have a veterinary clinic who works directly with the feral organization and is extremely flexible. They have multiple vets on staff so that is what makes it work so well. Even if I trap a cat, let's say, a day later than my appointment they will allow me to just bring the cat over. Most times I have to leave him/her there and they attend to the cat when they can. But usually, it is rather quickly so the cat is not too stressed out. They keep them covered in a quiet area until the vet can see them. I hope you can find a new vet willing to work with feral cats. The vets I know of who work with feral cats do so almost to the point of being "pro bono". Just wonderful people. Good luck with your search, hun!!! :cross:

Thanks Feralvr!    Your vet sounds perfect      The backup one that I found is more flexible and familiar with dealing with ferals which is good - takes the pressure off but I'm not sure that they are experienced on the level yours is.    I'm discovering more and more that different skills and issues come up for me and the vets in dealing with feral vs. social kitties.