Welcome to the Fraser Valley Feline Welfare Society

Our Mission

We want to create a richer understanding through a singular purpose: To help people see the intrinsic worth of all cats.

If we can help everyone to better understand cats and their needs, we can help them to behave differently towards them, to care for them in the best way and to ensure the world appreciates and protects all cats.

The Fraser Valley Feline Welfare Society is comprised of unstoppable optimists working to ensure that no pet gets left behind. We envision communities that embrace all pets as family, ensuring they are loved, free from harm. We are guided by a Code of Ethics and our mission is to keep pets and people together, ensure those pets survive and thrive, and support positive change in animal welfare. This includes direct program delivery, resources, advocacy, and professional development.

By filling the gaps with our own direct animal assistance and educational programs while simultaneously strengthening and empowering British Columbia's existing animal welfare sector, we’re moving closer and closer to realizing our vision of a province that provides the utmost care and protection for its companion animals.

Spaying, Neutering & Microchipping - Why it's Important

Feline overpopulation is a global crisis where too many cats (owned, stray, and feral) exist, overwhelming shelters and resources, leading to suffering, disease, and euthanasia, primarily driven by uncontrolled breeding of unsterilized cats. Solutions focus on community-wide spaying/neutering (sterilization), education on responsible pet ownership (microchipping, keeping cats indoors), Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for feral colonies, and supporting animal welfare organizations to manage the escalating numbers and prevent abandonment.

Causes of Feline Overpopulation

Uncontrolled Breeding: Cats can reproduce rapidly; one unneutered pair can produce thousands of offspring in a few years, rapidly escalating numbers.
Lack of Sterilization: Many pet owners don't spay/neuter their cats, allowing them to contribute to the population, especially if allowed outdoors.
Impulsive Pet Ownership & Abandonment: People acquire cats without understanding long-term commitment, leading to abandonment, particularly after events like the pandemic.
Stray & Feral Populations: Millions of unowned cats live on the streets, facing harsh conditions, disease, and continuous breeding.

Impacts of Overpopulation

Animal Suffering: Overcrowded conditions lead to stress, malnutrition, injuries, and rapid spread of diseases like FeLV, FIV, and FIP.
Shelter Overload: Shelters constantly reach capacity, with long waiting lists and euthanasia often being the outcome for surplus animals.
Public Health/Welfare Concerns: Large feral populations can lead to community complaints (feces, odor) and disease transmission.

Solutions & How You Can Help

Spay/Neuter: Sterilize your own pets and support low-cost community clinics to address the root cause.
Responsible Ownership: Keep cats indoors, provide permanent ID (microchips/tags), and never abandon them.
Support TNR Programs: Trap-Neuter-Return helps manage feral colonies humanely by sterilizing, vaccinating, and returning cats.
Education: Raise awareness in your community about responsible pet care and population control.
Support Shelters: Donate, volunteer, or adopt to help overburdened organizations.

The FVFWS Spay & Neuter Program

Cat overpopulation is a problem all citizens in British Columbia must solve together. Rescue groups and shelters simply cannot do it alone.

The Fraser Valley Feline Welfare Society helps to assist low-income individuals by providing funds towards spays, neuters & microchips. We screen applications according to a set of criteria. Funding is not guaranteed and will be provided directly to the veterinary clinic or organization providing this service. All funding decisions are made on a case-by-case basis by program staff, and in some cases in consultation with a veterinarian.

The amount the Fraser Valley Feline Welfare Society may be able to contribute will depend entirely on the funds available. You may need to work out a payment plan with the veterinary clinic to pay for the remainder of what is not covered by the FVFWS.

To apply for spay & neuter assistance, applicants must:

Be able to provide proof of low-income status and be unable to afford all or some of the costs of the spay/neuter via savings or credit.
Have a pet in the home in need of this service.
Be a resident of British Columbia.
Submit an application prior to treatment.
Provide a history and photo of the pet as part of the application process.
Only request financial assistance once in a year for up to two pets per household.
Agree to follow the directions of the veterinarian regarding aftercare.

Please Note: Longer than usual wait times.

Program hours: The program coordinator typically works Monday - Friday from 9am to 4pm. Program decisions are not made on weekends or statutory holidays, including Easter Monday, Truth and Reconciliation Day & Boxing Day.

Email: fvcatrescue@gmail.com for an application.

Donations are Needed!

The love between a human and their companion animal knows no bounds.

That's why the Fraser Valley Feline Welfare Society's spay & neuter program focus' on keeping loved pets in their homes. And not only that, we can do more to help end the feline overpopulation epidemic.

People who are experiencing a period of life with low or no income still love and care for their pet. Sadly, animal guardians who cannot afford necessary vet care are often faced with an impossible choice: allow their pet to suffer or surrender them to a shelter to get the care they need.

We know these aren't just 'pets'. They have names like, Steve, or Nala, or Freddy, or Tabitha - individuals who have strong relationships with their families, who offer solace emotional support, and unconditional love. When these animals are in need of necessary veterinary care, they need a safety net so they can stay in their homes. Our spay & neuter program is here to help.