Transports
Details & Pricing
We coordinate everything to make your kitty’s surgery day as easy as possible.
Standard Service Fee: $62–$95 (Price varies by clinic; exact cost provided at signup)
What’s Included:
Surgery: Professional spay or neuter procedure.
Vaccinations: Rabies and FVRCP (Distemper) vaccines.
Comfort: Long-acting pain relief injection.
Transport: Stress-free, round-trip transportation from PetSmart (Davis Hwy) on the morning of surgery.
Optional Add-ons:
Looking for more services? You can add these services via the signup form:
Microchipping (for permanent ID)
Deworming
Nail Trimming
Flea Treatment
FIV/FeLV Testing
Fecal Test
The Fine Print:
Payment: Due in full 5 days prior to your scheduled transport date.
How to Book: Review the specific signup form for your transport date to see exact pricing and available add-ons.
Transport Instructions
STEP 1 — PREPARING FOR TRANSPORT
1. Secure Your Spot
Payment: Must be paid in full 1 week before the transport date.
Cancellation Policy: Unpaid spots or unapproved carriers will result in automatic cancellation.
2. Prepare the Carrier or Trap (1 cat per carrier)
Approved Gear: Hard-shell plastic carriers or metal gravity traps only (see criteria below).
The "Bedding": Line the bottom with a small towel, blanket, or pee pad. For traps, use newspaper or cardboard.
Safety Check: Secure carrier frames with zip ties if they are loose.
The Cover: Provide a lightweight cover (like a cut pillowcase or sheet). This keeps the cat calm during travel.
3. Label Your Carrier (The ID Card)
Securely attach a card to the carrier including the following details:
Owner Info: Your Name & Phone Number.
Cat Info: Name, Approx. Age, Color, and Sex.
Medical: Required vaccines (Rabies/FVRCP) and Ear Tip preference (Yes/No).
Optional Add-ons: Clearly list if you want Microchipping, Nail Trims, Deworming, or Flea Meds.
STEP 2 — DAY OF SURGERY & TRANSPORT
1. Fasting (Critical Safety)
No Food: Do not feed the cat after midnight or within 8 hours of drop-off. Surgery on a full stomach is dangerous.
Water: Small amounts of water are okay.
Alerts: If the cat accidentally ate, you must notify us at drop-off.
2. Drop-Off Instructions
Time: Generally 5:45 AM – 6:00 AM. Refer to your confirmation text for your exact arrival time.
Parking Lot Safety: Keep carriers closed. Opening a carrier to say goodbye increases the risk of the cat escaping in a busy parking lot.
3. Pick-Up Instructions
The "Window": Pick-up typically occurs between 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, depending on when the clinic completes all surgeries.
The Notification: We will text you as soon as the clinic confirms our release time. This text gives everyone ample notice to head to the PetSmart location.
Firm Timing: This is not a "pick-up anytime" window. Once the transport van arrives, all cats must be picked up immediately. You (or a backup person) must be available to pick up at PetSmart at the communicated pick up time.
Materials: You will receive a Rabies tag and an index card (plus any purchased meds) at this time.
STEP 3 — POST-SURGERY RECOVERY & AFTERCARE
1. Immediate Care
Diet: Resume normal food and water practices once you return home.
Monitoring: Your cat may be sleepy or uncoordinated. They should return to normal within 24 hours.
Emergency: If your cat has not urinated within 24 hours, call an emergency vet immediately.
2. Healing & ActivityProtection: Do not allow the cat to lick the surgical site.
Hygiene: Do not bathe the cat for 2 weeks post-surgery.
Community/Outdoor Cats: Keep in a climate-controlled space for at least 24 hours before release.
Pregnant Cats: Keep in a climate-controlled space for 5–7 days.
3. Documentation: Paperwork will be emailed to you within 1 week of surgery. For more information, review:
Carrier Criteria
For the safety and security of your cat during transport, we strictly adhere to the following guidelines:
One Cat Per Carrier: No exceptions.
Approved Materials: Hard-shell plastic or metal traps ONLY. No soft-sided bags or cardboard.
Maximum Size: 24in x 14in (or smaller).
Comfort: Your cat must be able to stand up and turn around comfortably.
Not sure if your carrier works? Please email a photo to PensacolaFosterKittens@gmail.com at least 48 hours before your scheduled transport for approval.
Approved:
Not Approved:
Approved Example: Hard-Shell Carrier (Labeled)
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STEP 1: Preparing for Transport (3 Days Before)
1. Pay in full ~1 week before the transport date. Note: Failure to pay in full will result in a cancellation of your spot on the transport.
2. Review the carrier criteria below. Note: Failure to provide an approved carrier will result in a cancellation of your spot on the transport.
3. Label the carrier/trap with a Cat ID card containing:
a. Your Name
b. Your Phone Number
c. Cat’s Name
d. Cat’s Approximate Age
e. Cat’s Color
f. Cat’s Sex (Spay/Neuter)
g. Rabies Vaccine
h. FVRCP Vaccine
i. Ear Tip (Yes/No)
j. (Optional): Other add ons: Microchip, Nail Trim, Tests, Dewormer, Flea Meds.
4. Hard Carrier Requirement: Place a small towel/blanket/pee pad inside the hard carrier. Secure carrier frame with zip ties if necessary.
5. Hard Carrier (Recommended): Cover carriers with a lightweight cover (i.e. a cut pillowcase or cut sheet) to place over the hard carrier.
6. Gravity Trap Requirements: Pee pad, cardboard or newspaper on bottom of trap. Remove all food from the trap. Cover traps with lightweight cover (i.e. a cut pillowcase or cut sheet) to place over the hard carrier.
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STEP 2: Day of Transport/Surgery
1. IMPORTANT — DO NOT FEED CATS THE MORNING OF SURGERY.
To keep your cat safe during surgery, they need an empty stomach. To help with this, do not feed them after midnight or 8 hours before you drop them off. This will also help to keep them from getting car sick during their transport.
Please notify us if the cat has accidentally consumed food prior to drop off. However, some water is okay.
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2. Drop Off Instructions: Check in and loading is generally around 5:45/6am on the day of transport at Petsmart on Davis Hwy (between Petsmart & IHOP) — Google Maps link. REFER TO YOUR INFORMATION TEXT ON THE EXACT TIME TO MEET AS THAT IS THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO GO BY.
Double check to make sure the carrier is secure before getting out of your vehicle. Unsecured carriers or opening the carrier to say goodbye increases the risk of your cat escaping.
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3. Pick Up Instructions: Pick up is generally sometime between 4-7pm the same day and place of drop off. You will receive a confirmation text that afternoon confirming pick up time and location. You MUST be available starting at 4pm to pick your cat up, or you must have someone else identified as being able to assist. Our drivers cannot hold cats.
At pick up, you will receive an index card with a rabies tag (and pain medication, if purchased).
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STEP 3: Post Transport/Surgery After Care
1. After returning home, resume normal food and water practices.
2. Monitor your cat for abnormal behaviors. Your cat may be uncoordinated or sleepy, but should return to normal within 24 hours.
3. Monitor for normal urination. If your cat has not urinated within 24 hours of surgery, call your emergency vet. This is an emergency.
4. Prohibit the cat from licking the surgical site.
5. Do not bathe cat for 2 weeks post surgery.
6. Pregnant cats should be kept in a climate controlled space for 5-7 days following surgery.
7. If outside/community cat, keep the cat in a climate controlled space for at least 24 hours following the surgery prior to releasing.
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You will receive paperwork via email within 1 week of surgery to the email provided on the transport sign up sheet.
For more information on post op care best practices, review the following care guides: