Following up from our previous article on the £5 neutering campaign from Cats Protection, which is launching in February 2016, they would like to share with you some of the benefits of neutering and dispel some of the myths.
From February 2016 Cats Protection will be offering £5 neutering for cats within the Edinburgh area whose owners receive certain state benefits or are on a low income. The campaign also includes neutering of stray cats being temporarily fed.
They say that neutering benefits both male and female cats as:
- Neutered females cannot become pregnant, adding to the number of unwanted kittens. Left un-neutered, a female cat can have up to 18 kittens a year.
- Neutered females are less at risk of developing cancers and infections.
- Neutered males are less likely to roam, reducing the risk of them being involved in car accidents
- Neutering means males are less likely to display territorial behaviour such as spraying, while females will not call or wail.
- Neutered males are less likely to fight, reducing the risk of them getting injured or contracting serious diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) or Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)
Cats Protection would also like to share with you some facts in order to to dispel the neutering myths:
- Cats can breed from just four months of age.
- Cats will breed with their brothers, sisters and parents.
- There is no benefit for a cat to have just one litter.
- Females can come into season again six weeks after giving birth.
- One unneutered female cat can be responsible for 20,000 descendants in just five years.
The charity says that neutered cats live longer, healthier lives and it is the most humane way to stop unwanted pregnancies. They also recommend that cats and kittens are neutered from around four months of age, before they become sexually mature.
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