FAQs

Below you will find some common questions that arise concerning our organization in connection with Mildcats At ASU.  If you cannot find the answer to your particular question, please ask us. 

Q:  What is a feral cat?

A:  "Literally 'gone wild,' a domestic cat that was lost or abandoned and has reverted to a wild state, or a cat that was born outside to a stray or feral mother and had little or no human contact.  Adult feral cats usually cannot be tamed and are not suited to living indoors with people.  They live outside in family groups called colonies that form near a source of food and shelter.  Feral cats can survive almost anywhere and are found worldwide." -- courtesy of Alley Cat Allies

Q: What is a stray cat?

A:  "A domestic cat that strayed from home and became lost or was abandoned. Because a stray cat was once a companion animal, he or she can usually be re-socialized and placed in an adoptive home." -- courtesy of Alley Cat Allies

Q: Are you part of the Humane Society?

A: No.  Mildcats @ ASU is under the direction of Mildcats At ASU, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Q: How is this organization supported?

A:  Mildcats At ASU is a not-for-profit organization supported solely through donations from individuals.  We do not receive any public funding.  Your donation, of any size, is greatly appreciated and will help us continue to provide care to homeless and abandoned cats on the campus of ASU.

Mildcats @ ASU is a student club under the umbrella of Mildcats At ASU, totally independent on separate funding for organizational activities keeping in line with our mission statement.

Q:  What happens after MILDCATS traps, neuters/spays, and is not able to find homes or foster homes, does Mildcats At ASU return the ferals to their last geographic location?

A:  The official Mildcats policy is that if a rescued or trapped cat is a stray and not a feral, then it will be fostered until it is adopted.  That is one reason why we are always looking for people who are willing to foster cats.  For bona fide feral cats, they will be returned to their original site after neutering/spaying and we will continue to feed them every day.  However, we now have a situation where we cannot return the ferals to their original location because that location (fenced in due to construction on/off campus).  They will have to be relocated somewhere else on/off campus where there are already established feeding sites.  We will just hope for the best that the returned ferals will not wander off to look for their old home.  

Q:  What is a feral cat colony?

A:  "A group of freeroaming cats living in a specific geographic area. Prior to the implementation of Trap-Neuter-Return, feral cat colonies consist of both stray (tame) and feral (wild) cats of all ages, from kittens through adults. After Trap-Neuter-Return is completed, a feral cat colony consists exclusively of feral adults." -- courtesy of Alley Cat Allies

Q:  What is Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR)?

A:   "A nonlethal sterilization method to reduce the numbers of feral cats in the environment both immediately and for the longterm. TNR is a comprehensive, ongoing program in which stray and feral cats already living outdoors in cities, towns, and rural areas are humanely trapped, then evaluated, vaccinated, and sterilized by veterinarians. Kittens and tame (stray) cats are adopted into good homes. Healthy adult cats too wild (feral) to be adopted are returned to their familiar habitat under the lifelong care of volunteers. Cats that are ill or injured beyond recovery are not returned to the environment." -- courtesy of Alley Cat Allies

Q:  There are stray cats in my neighborhood.  Can you come pick them up?

A:  No.  We are not a shelter.  We recommend contacting the Arizona Humane Society or a rescue organization that is equipped with the manpower and energy that has the ability and willingness to consider with your situation.

Q:  There are feral (wild) cats in my neighborhood.  What should I do?

A:  Answer Coming Soon.

Q:  What do I need to do to be a volunteer?

A:  Contact us.

Q:  How do I report animal cruelty / neglect?

A:  Cruelty / neglect cases should be reported to local law enforcement and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office to enforce state statutes and local ordinances.  Reports of animal cruelty / neglect may be directed to the Animal Cruelty Investigative Unit hotline number at 602.876.1681.  Arizona has numerous laws protecting animals from neglect and abuse and, therefore, the Tempe Police Department is proud to enforce those laws.  Please do not hesitate to contact Tempe Police if you suspect animal neglect or abuse taking place in or around your neighborhood.

Here are some additional resources and phone numbers for animal issues related to pets and other types of wildlife:

Southwest Wildlife:  480-471-9109

Arizona Game & Fish: 602-942-3000

East Valley Wildlife (Rabbits, Squirrels, Ducks): 480-814-9339

ASPCA: 602-246-8280

Human Society: 602-997-7585

RESCUE: 480-598-9410

Friends For Life Animal Sanctuary: 480-497-8296

Arizona Pet Line: 602-252-2727

Q:  What is Mildcats @ ASU doing to help solve the overpopulation of cats on campus?

A:  The efforts of our student organization and all the other animal organizations combined cannot save all of the animals that need our help.  There simply not enough spaces or adoptive homes to house them all.  Euthanizing healthy animals is clearly not the solution to animal overpopulation -- spaying and neutering is.  The only way to reduce the number of unwanted animals is to control uncontrolled breeding.  We spay or neuter every cat under our care on the main campus.  The pet overpopulation problem belongs to all of us.

Q:  Where can I get low cost vet care or have my animal spayed / neutered?

A:  Answer Coming Soon.