The scheme is also open to cat owners in Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.

Anyone living in these areas who receives means-tested benefits, has a low household income, is a full-time student living away from home, or receives a state-only pension or pension credit could be eligible for the scheme.

Jane Clements, Head of Neutering at Cats Protection, said: “This joint Cats Protection and RSPCA scheme is the perfect opportunity for cat owners on low incomes across the West Midlands and in Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Shropshire to have their cats neutered and microchipped for the bargain price of £5.

“Just visit the campaign web page to find out which vets are taking part and check you’re likely to be eligible. You can then contact the vet direct, mentioning the scheme, to make arrangements for your cat to be neutered and chipped.”

Neutering offers many benefits to both cats and owners alike and a neutered cat is less likely to spray, roam and fight. Neutering is the most effective way loving cat owners can protect their cats.

One unneutered female cat could potentially produce up to 18 kittens a year. Getting a female cat neutered will also prevent her from getting cancers of the ovaries and womb.

Cats Protection and the RSPCA recommend microchipping as a permanent method of identification, helping to reunite cats with their owners if they become lost or stray.

Coralie Farren from the RSPCA said: “Thousands of cats go missing every year and many never return to their owners – a microchip helps ensure cats can be identified should they go missing and that lost cats are not mistaken as strays and taken in by rehoming charities.”

Microchips contain a unique identification number and are inserted under the cat’s skin between their shoulder blades.

The number is linked to a database containing the owner’s contact details. When a scanner detects the microchip all it takes is a phone call to reunite cat and owner.

Cats Protection is calling for a change in the law to ensure that all owned cats, like dogs, are microchipped.

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For further information or an interview, please contact Cats Protection’s Media Office on 01825 741 911, at media.office@cats.org.uk, or @CPMediaTeam on Twitter.