BE A RESPONSIBLE CAT OWNER

Neutering is a surgical procedure which prevents female cats, known as queens, becoming pregnant and male cats, known as toms, making females pregnant.

• A female cat is spayed (her ovaries and uterus are removed)
• A male cat is castrated (his testes are removed)

Cats Protection recommends the neutering of domestic cats from four months of age, but you should seek advice from your vets for each individual cat.

The Operation

Your cat will have an anaesthetic on the day, so he or she should be given no food prior to the operation - your vet will advise you about this. The operation for both male and female cats is very simple and so you will usually be able to drop your cat off and pick him or her up on the same day.

Female cats will have a small shaved area, this fur will grow back in a couple of weeks. A female cat will also have stitches. If these are not dissolvable, they will be taken out by the vet around 10 days after the opertaion.

Cats usually recover very quickly from the operation. Your vet will advise on the best care for your cat as he or she recovers.

How much does it cost?

The cost of the operation varies according to what part of the country you live in and the vet you use. The average cost for a male cat is between £20 and £40 and the average cost for a female cat is between £30 and £60. Your vet will be happy to give you a quote before the operation takes place. Cats Protection offers financial assistance to cat owners on benefits or low income to help with the cost of neutering.

Financial Assistance

Cats Protection may be able to help with the cost of neutering your cat.

You can qualify for support if you are the owner of the cat that is to be neutered and also one of the following:

• A full-time student
• On means-tested benefit

If you application is successful, you will be sent a voucher which must be given to your vet when your cat goes for its operation.

The current value of the vouchers is £26 for female cats and £20 for male cats. You will need to pay the remaining amount yourself directly to the veterinary practice.

Feral Neutering

An uncontrolled feral colony will grow quickly; the cats will be susceptible to disease and may also become a nuisance. Simply removing the cats isn't a long term solution, as a new colony will soon move in.

The best option therefore is to neuter all of the resident feral cats within as short a time frame as possible. Over a period of years this will reduce the size of the colony. A controlled, healthy and manageable colony will deter other ferals from moving in and will keep vermin levels down.

We may be able to get help towards the cost of neutering a feral colony, provided that the cats are returned to the same site and their subsequent well being is assured (in terms of daily feeding and veterinary treatment).

The contribution is for assistance with neutering costs only and must not be used for other veterinary treatment or euthansia. Your application needs to be made in advance of any neutering taking place, as payment cannot be paid after the event.

 FOR NEUTERING HELP OR ADVICE PLEASE CALL US ON 0845 3714204