Welfare - Neutering, why it is important.

Neutering 

Once again it is coming to that time of year, days are getting longer and it will be warming up soon (we hope!)

Even though cats can mate all year round, it tends to be the long milder days that they become more active, and that’s why we get our kitten boom every year.



Unwanted litter.



Living on an island the cat population forever rising is becoming a problem, and less and less homes can be found for unwanted litters. Also being on the island risks of inbreeding can occur and genetic diversity is reduced.
Cats Protection wants to reduce the amount of unwanted animals and the most effective and humane way to do this is through neutering.

Even though we go through these facts over and over, the truth is these are the FACTS and not everyone is aware.

We also understand if you have a cat and need it neutered the cost can be quite high for some people, so this is something to definitely consider before you take on a cat.

So it’s worth calling around and finding out the costs of keeping a cat before you get one.

On the plus side, here at Cats protection all of our cats and kittens will be neutered (plus other treatments) before they leave! Making sure you can rest easy and enjoy the time spent with your cat worry free!

Dumped in a box, left to fend for themselves

So... what are the facts, why should I bother neutering?

Many people do not see the point of neutering if they have a male, or sometimes even think it’s in the cat’s best interest to have one or two litters. This is just adding to the population, and in the long run can cause more harm than good. (See bullet points below)



If you truly believe that your cat should have at least one litter you may want to read the following information;



Unwanted litter and mum



There is no money in breeding domestic moggie kittens, by the time you have had them at your home for 7-9 weeks, you will probably be out of pocket and exhausted from clearing up after them.

We have kittens come into us that are flea ridden, full of worms and malnourished.

This is due to people who do not know what is involved in breeding kittens and we see this on a regular basis.

You are responsible for the welfare of your cat while in your care and potentially could sell on an unhealthy cat or kitten. So please, please be aware of the time and cost this can cause!



Malnourished

kitten from last year



Also, remember it’s not easy to find a loving home for kittens; Kittens are being sold as low as £10 each which does not amount to profit.

Please put animal welfare first, have your cat neutered.

As well as reducing the amount of unwanted cats and kittens, neutering has many other benefits, and can prevent other problems such as diseases and fighting.

Neutering Facts

There are many myths that circulate about neutering. To set the record straight, here are the facts:

· There are around 2.5 million stray cats living in the UK

· One un-neutered female cat can be responsible for 20,000 descendants in just five years

· Cats can become sexually active from just four months old

· It is not beneficial for a cat to have 'just one litter' before being spayed

· Gestation in cats (the length of pregnancy) is only nine weeks, and a female cat can come into season again just six weeks after giving birth

· Pregnancy and motherhood are physically very demanding for a cat-repeated pregnancies take their toll

· Cats will breed with their brothers and sisters

· A cat can have up to three litters a year with five or six kittens (sometimes more) in each litter. That adds up to at least 18 caring homes for Cats Protection to find each year, just for one cat’s kittens!



Bite wound from fighting Tom cat



 Neutered male cats are:

· Less likely to roam, reducing the risk of them being run over

· Less likely to fight, reducing the risk of them getting injured



· Less likely to contract serious diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) through fighting

· Less likely to display territorial behaviour such as spraying

· Unable to develop tumours of the testicles

· Males can mate multiple females, and will travel out of their area to find more females!

 Neutered female cats are:

· Unable to get pregnant and have unwanted litters of kittens

· Not going to call or wail, as un-neutered queens do when in season

· Less likely to contract diseases such as FIV or FeLV spread by bites

· Unable to develop cancer of the ovaries or uterus

· Less likely to develop mammary cancer-especially if neutered under the age of six months



Thankyou for spending the time to read this, and if possible share this blog post with a friend. We would also like to hear your comments.