SCFAW Mission 

Our mission is to reduce the suffering of homeless cats in Central Massachusetts by preventing the tragedy before it begins. We achieve this by offering affordable, accessible spay/neuter services for pet cats and tame strays. We also provide counseling on difficult pet issues and care for catastrophic illness or injury of dogs and cats from economically challenged households. 

Your support enables us to continue reaching out to those in need, offering resources, information, and compassionate support.

SCFAW exists through the donations of caring individuals and organizations. Without programs such as ours, the suffering of cat overpopulation and homelessness would be far more tragic, and the negative impact on our communities would be more serious.

The fees we receive from participants of our Quick Fix Clinics cover only part of our expenses. Your financial donations subsidize these fees by helping us pay our veterinary partners, medical suppliers, and our small, part-time staff.

• $40 helps with the expense of one spay surgery
• $25 helps to pay for one neuter surgery
• $15 subsidizes rabies and distemper vaccinations for one cat

Your financial donations also help us to cover our community outreach expenses, including website maintenance, office supplies, telephone, postage, and other administrative costs.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About SCFAW

• Why should I spay or neuter my pet?

Every year, millions of unwanted animals are needlessly destroyed. As a caring pet owner, you can make a difference by doing your part to prevent the birth of unwanted kittens. In just five years, an unspayed cat can be responsible for 12,000 offspring! In addition, spaying or neutering will help your pet live a longer and happier life. Read more.

• What happens if I want to wait to have my cat spayed or neutered?

Don't delay having your kitten spayed or neutered. By six months of age, a female can go into heat and become pregnant.

• Is the time and expense of spay and neuter really worth it? 

Yes! SCFAW assists by providing affordable and accessible spay and neuter services. Keep in mind that this is a one-time expense that can dramatically improve your cat's quality of life. If you are still uncertain, consider the expense to society of caring for all the unwanted and abandoned animals in our shelters. Many have little chance of finding permanent homes.

• Won't my cat's behavior improve if she has a litter?   

Contrary to what some people believe, getting pregnant—even one time, does not improve a cat's behavior. In fact, the mating instinct may lead to undesirable behavior, which results in undue stress for both the owner and the animal.

• Where does the money come from to enable SCFAW to carry out its mission? 

SCFAW services, such as our affordabe spay and neuter Quick Fix Clinics, are paid by the pet owners and care-givers whose animals we treat. However, the fees charged do not cover the entire cost of the procedure. We rely on the generosity of our donors to make up the difference. Donors also fund our normal administrative operations. As a nonprofit, mostly volunteer-based organization, SCFAW works hard to minimize these expenses. A portion of our budget comes from grants and other sources.

• Find answers to many pet-related questions in our extensive Resource Directory.

 

"I'm Animal Friendly" License Plates

The Massachusetts "I'm Animal Friendly" license plate tells your community that you care about animals! This program is a cooperative arrangement between the Massachusetts Animal Coalition (MAC) and the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). By purchasing this license plate, you will be contributing to a statewide spay/neuter funding program that directly benefits Massachusetts animals. SCFAW has been a recipient of funding through this program for several years.

Order your plate today!