ALL STAFF MUST CHECK IN AT THE VOLUNTEER TABLE.

GLOVES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES.

The Express Station prepares cats for spay and neuter by checking vitals, verifying gender, and expressing bladders. Anesthetized cats will be brought to the Express Station following the Ear Tip Station.

Technician Instructions

The Express Technicians monitor the cats for respiration, pulse and color; express the bladders of non-pregnant females and verify the gender of each cat.

1)     MONITOR the cats carefully.  Respiration (>6/minute), heartbeat (>100/minute), and gum color (pink).  If the cat is not breathing well or its gums are blue, pull firmly on the tongue, press a fingernail on the nose leather, and NOTIFY THE CLINIC SUPERVISOR for assessment.

Change your gloves and clean the table after handling any URI or otherwise infectious cats.

2)     VERIFY the sex of each cat VISUALLY. Do NOT rely on palpation (touch) to determine gender. CHECK FOR A VULVA OR PENIS. You will be shown the difference before starting at your station. Remember, neutered and cryptorchid males will not have or display testicles. Neutered males and spayed females should be brought to the attention of the Supervisor. 

3)     EXPRESS the bladders of non-pregnant females only. If you have no experience doing this, advise the Clinic Volunteer Coordinator. Express the bladders into the container that sits on top of a trash can. Do not spend a lot of time doing this — if you can’t express it, move on.  If the station has more than 5 cats waiting, ask the Supervisor for assistance.

4)     FORWARD prepped cats to the Spay Boards station.

5)     CLEAN up the station and dispose of trash once the last cat is prepped.

6)     REPACK the kit, inventorying supplies (see Supply List in the kit) at the end of the clinic. Return the kit and any extra items to the Supply Coordinator.