Guidebook: Feline Panleukopenia

Chapter 8: New Cat Intake

Cat intake should be minimized until the shelter can be thoroughly cleaned and all exposed/at risk cats are evaluated and transferred to quarantine or out of the shelter. If kittens are out in foster care, return to the shelter should be discouraged if possible. Ideally, they should be adopted through off-site events or directly out of the foster home. If returned to the shelter, kittens should be vaccinated at least a week prior to return. If cat intake must be continued, designate one clean area of the shelter for this purpose.

Related Reading

Sample Cat Intake Diversion Flowchart

To provide the best care and most live outcomes, shelters must offer alternatives to intake. Download a flowchart that can help your shelter find the best pathway for a cat that a member of the public wants to surrender.

Calculating shelter capacity

Use these easy to follow instructions and the provided calculator to determine your facility's unique capacity for care. Once you've established what your organization's current capacity for care is, you can explore the many pathways we provide to help increase your facility's life-saving capacity.

Overview of Capacity for Care (C4C)

Capacity for care (C4C), considered holistically, means meeting the needs of every animal admitted to a shelter, regardless of how they came in, when they came in or their age, health status and personality. Every sheltering organization must acknowledge their C4C and function within it to allow them to be the best resource for the animals and people in their community.