Frequently Asked Questions/Help With cats

If you find an injured or critically ill animal and cannot reach us during an emergency, please go directly to the UT Veterinary Hospital.

They operate a Good Samaritan Program for animals in urgent need. Basic details of the program include: 

• Surrendering the animal to UT.
• The animal will receive immediate medical care.
• Once stable, it will be placed into an adoption program

 This information is critical and should be your first step in an emergency. Please remember: this is different from low-cost vet care: this is emergency and critical care.

We receive hundreds of requests each month and can’t accept every cat (we’re foster-based). This page walks you through how to safely rehome on your own. In the Knoxville area, there aren’t open-intake shelters that can guarantee lifetime “no-kill.” Capacity and policies vary—please check with each shelter directly.

Policies can change, but healthy community cats are often spayed/neutered and returned to where they were found (SNR/TNR). That may not place the cat on the adoption floor. If you can privately rehome, the cat’s chances for a stable indoor life are usually better. If you did turn a cat in, check the area a few days later in case it was returned nearby.

Do a quick vet reference for every adopter:

1. Ask for the adopter’s name and their veterinarian’s clinic.
2. Call the clinic and say, “I’m doing a vet check for an adoption.” Ask:
   • Are their pets spayed/neutered?
   • Are vaccinations current?
   • Do they come in for illness/annual care?
     Vet records don’t lie and give a strong picture of care. Also verify housing rules (e.g., pet policy for apartments), and it’s okay to ask questions—responsible adopters understand.

Consistency is key! Post daily until adopted.

• Facebook: Local groups (e.g., Knoxville Cat Lovers) and neighborhood groups; always post clear photos + a phone number. 
• Knoxville News Sentinel: Offers free pet ads; runs for three days—call before 10am on day 3 to rerun.
  
• Craigslist/Nextdoor: Can work if you screen with a vet check first.
  Pro tip: Repost/bump each day so your listing stays visible.

Lead with positives and be concise. Example:

“Family-friendly, super sweet, fluffy orange tabby, 2 yrs, indoor-only. Neutered, current on vaccines. Litter-trained, loves toys. Text 123-456-7899 for meet & greet.”

Use a clean, bright backdrop: drape a light blanket over a couch for an instant studio. Natural light, eye-level shots, and a toy or soft prop help. Avoid garage/outdoor/ cluttered backgrounds—they turn adopters off.

Happy Paws does not handle feral intakes.

 For TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return):

• Young-Williams: Free spay/neuter for ferals and loaner traps.
• Feral Feline Friends (Knoxville): May advise/assist if you participate.

TNR stops litters and lets healthy ferals live safely in their outdoor colonies.

• PPAWS (Greenback) – very low spay/neuter fees (sometimes ~$20).
• Planned Pethood (Roane County) – low-cost options.
• County voucher programs (e.g., Monroe, Loudon).
• Young-Williams – sliding-scale; some folks qualify for free or $5 surgeries.
• Butler Animal Clinic (Powell) – affordable general care (accepts CareCredit).
• Emergencies: Knoxville Pet Emergency Clinic (Ailor Ave) (accepts CareCredit).
• Banfield at PetSmart (Knoxville) – extended daytime hours.
• UT Veterinary Hospital – injured strays may be seen under a Good Samaritan policy at no charge; open 24/7 (typically transferred to Young-Williams after treatment).

Many problems are solvable with a little guidance:

• Allergies: talk to your doctor—many cases are manageable.
  Helpful reads: petfinder.com/cats/living-with-your-cat/cat-allergies/
• Pregnancy/Toxoplasmosis: risk is mainly from ingesting feces; wear gloves or have someone else scoop.
• Litterbox issues: rule out medical causes first; then adjust litter/box setup.
  Resources: humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/solving_litter_box_problems.html
• Behavior: stress reduction and routine help; consider a behavior consult (Pam Johnson-Bennett, catbehaviorassociates.com).
  If you adopted from a rescue/shelter, contact them first—many can advise or accept returns per their policy.

• Spay/neuter and vaccinate before rehoming when possible. 
• Post daily, answer messages quickly, and meet safely.
• Use a small rehoming fee and a simple adoption agreement to discourage impulse adopters.
• Trust your gut—if someone seems evasive, wait for a better match.
   

We can’t take every cat, but we’re happy to answer questions by email when we’re able. Please understand that rehoming is ultimately the current owner/finder’s responsibility, and following the steps above gives your cat the best chance.