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 WHY NEUTER?
There are 21,000 reasons why you should get your cat neutered - because that's potentially how many offspring could result from one un-neutered female cat and her descendants in just seven years!
There is a cat over-population crisis in the UK today, which results in 1,000's of healthy but unwanted cats and kittens being destroyed EVERY DAY because there are not enough homes to go round. This sad fact is true also for dogs, and neutering is the only humane answer.
Neutering your cats, male or female, is the best and most humane way of reducing the stray cat population, helping lower the instances of F.I.V. and fight-injuries, and preventing healthy cats from being destroyed.
£ £ £... Help! It's too expensive! - Need Help with Neutering Costs..? »» Low Cost Neutering |
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FEMALE CATS - 'Shouldn't we let her have one litter?'
It is a complete myth that a female cat should be allowed to have one litter. There is no biological or psychological benefit to the cat whatsoever. If you allow your female cat to have a litter, and manage to find homes for the kittens, they have then used up homes that kittens sitting in a rescue centre could have had, which may then end up being destroyed.
Many female cats come into season, get chased far from their home by un-neutered males and end up completely lost, pregnant, and living on the streets. This is how feral cat colonies are formed. They struggle to survive, often hungry, and frequently becoming sick or injured.
Many stray, un-neutered males carry the FIV virus, and female cats are often infected if they are bitten during mating. Males often infect each other with FIV or feline leukaemia when fighting over a female.
A female cat should be neutered (spayed) at 5 - 6 months but can be neutered at any age. Neutering can be done earlier, provided the kitten is in good health, but you will need to be guided by your vet. To prevent unwanted litters, your kitten should be kept indoors until it is neutered. Even if your cat is to be kept as an 'indoor cat', it is kinder to neuter her, as she will still come into season, which is very frustrating for her and for you. Un-neuterd females are also more at risk of developing cystic ovaries and the potentially fatal pyometra.
MALE CATS - if you love them, get them neutered!
When an un-neutered male reaches maturity, he will begin to roam further afield in his quest for females, exposing himself  to territory battles with other males, and risking his life on busy roads. Those that roam too far will join the UK's estimated two and a half MILLION strays living on the streets today, and face a very bleak future.
Un-neutered male cats are very aggressive towards other cats, particularly other un-neutered males. Their fights result in horrific bite injuries, abscesses, damaged eyes, and infections such as FIV. With no-one to take them to the vet, many injuries become infected, and often result in death.
Male cats should be neutered at six months, but can be neutered at any age thereafter. If your cat is kept indoors, neutering is still the best option. Neutering will prevent him from become sexually frustrated and continually trying to escape, and will also save you from the smelly problem of urine-spraying. Having the snip will not 'change his personality', that is another common myth without any basis in fact. |
£ £ £... Help! It's too expensive! - Need Help with Neutering Costs..?
For many people, neutering their pets is simply too expensive, but DON'T PANIC - help is at hand! If you are receiving benefit, are a pensioner, or are on a low income you can get low-cost, and sometimes even no-cost, neutering as follows:
CATS PROTECTION Neutering Vouchers:
CP Vouchers cover roughly half the cost of the average neutering / spaying charge. You can apply directly to any Cats Protection branch or shelter, who keep a supply of vouchers, or phone their national Helpline on 03000 12 12 12. You may be asked to fill in an application form and provide a copy of the cover of your benefit book to obtain the voucher. You will need to take the voucher to the vet when getting your cat neutered, and all you pay is the remaining balance. Details of your local Cat Protection branch can be found by choosing your area from the drop-down menu below.
RSPCA Neutering Vouchers:
Low-cost neutering vouchers are available from most RSPCA branches. Contact your nearest branch, or if you don't have a branch near you, call their national helpline on: 0300 1234 555. Details of your local RSPCA can be found by choosing your area from the drop-down menu below.
PDSA PetAid Hospitals and practices
PDSA PetAid offers free veterinary treatment for pets of those in receipt of certain benefits. Eligible clients of PDSA are offered reduced price neutering. For more information about eligibility, call freephone 0800 731 2502 or log onto www.pdsa.org.uk - Find your nearest PSDA PetAid hospital or PetAid veterinary practice here: www.pdsa.org.uk/pdsa-vet-care/eligibility
INDEPENDENT RESCUES Low Cost Neutering:
Many independent rescue groups will help with neutering costs, or have arrangements with local vets for low cost neutering. Don't be afraid to ask, they all have the animal's welfare at heart. Details of your local independent rescue can be found by choosing your area from the drop-down menu below.
For details of cat rescue centres near you, just Choose your area from the drop-down menu below:
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Other 'Low Cost Neutering Clinics' and neutering assistance available:
BEDFORDSHIRE: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net
CAMBRIDGESHIRE: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net
CHESHIRE: Cats Protection snips the price of neutering to just £5 for those on benefits, pensions, student funding or on low income. Tel: 08458 734 783 or visit their webite for more details: >> Neutering for £5
CHESHIRE (Cheadle): Greenbank Veterinary Clinic, 16 Northenden Road, Gatley Cheadle Cheshire SK8 4DN ~ Tel 0161 428 5655. Low-cost neutering and vaccinations (cats and dogs).
ESSEX: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net
GWYNEDD (West Gwynedd) Subsidised neutering for those on benefits (RSPCA), Tel: 01758 750356
HAMPSHIRE (Portsmouth): The Animal Support Awareness Programme (ASAP) spay/neuter scheme, call for details ~ Tel: 023 9223 1082 / 023 9279 6883
HAMPSHIRE (Southampton): RSPCA Southampton Clinic: 315 Shirley Rd., Southampton. Subsidised neutering and veterinary treatment for those on benefits. Tel: 023 8078 3000
HERTFORDSHIRE: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net
IRELAND (Dublin): The Irish Blue Cross operates a low cost neutering scheme - cat or dog neutering costs around one-third of the normal cost. Tel: 01 416 3030 or Email: info@bluecross.ie
KENT (Maidstone): RSPCA Mid Kent, Maidstone & District ~ low cost neutering and assisted veterinary treatment at a weekly clinic for those on benefits or a low income. 72-74 Wheeler Street, Maidstone, Kent. Tel: 01622 812195. Website: www.midkentrspca.com
LANCASHIRE (Manchester): Greenbank Veterinary Clinic, 16 Northenden Road, Gatley Cheadle Cheshire SK8 4DN ~ Tel 0161 428 5655. Low-cost neutering and vaccinations (cats and dogs).
LANCASHIRE (Manchester):
Cats Protection snips the price of neutering to just £5 for those on benefits, pensions, student funding or on low income. Tel:
08458 734 783 or visit their webite for more details: >> Neutering for £5
LINCOLNSHIRE: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net
LONDON: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net
LONDON (Camden): The London Beaumont Neutering Clinic: The clinic, in Camden, London is run jointly by Cats Protection and the National Canine Defence League, offering low cost netuering for dogs and cats. Tel: 020 7387 8134
LONDON (Canning Town): Celia Hammond Animal Trust - Low Cost Cat And Dog Neuter Clinic, 151-153, Barking Road, Canning Town, E16 4HQ. Tel: 02074 748 811.
Offers low-cost neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, flea and worm treatments, dental work, and other treatments.
Web: www.celiahammond.org
LONDON (Greater): Free and subsidised neutering and veterinary care for London’s pets, available to those on benefits, pensions or low income, and for stray cats. Neutering vouchers can be used at over 150 private and charity vets supporting the scheme throughout Greater London. Tel: 020 7355 1677 or write to: Free Cat Neutering Offer, Box 145, 2 Lansdowne Row, London, W1J 6HL. Download the PDF information booklet
LONDON (Greater) - FREE neutering: For those on benefits or a pension, or who are caring for a stray or feral cat, or who simply can't afford private veterinary fees. (C4) North Thames, Tel:
08458 734782 or visit their website for details>> The Cat Care and Control Consortium
LONDON (Hammersmith): Blue Cross Animal Hospital, Argyle Place, King St. Tel: 020 8748 5150
LONDON (Holloway): RSPCA Sir Harold Harmsworth Memorial Hospital, 22 Sonderburg Road, Holloway, London N7 7QD ~ Low cost neutering for those receiving state benefits ~ Tel: 020 7272 6214
LONDON (Lewisham): Celia Hammond Animal Trust - Low Cost Cat And Dog Neuter Clinic, 233-235, Lewisham Way, London, SE4 1UY. Tel: 02086 912 100.
Offers low-cost neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, flea and worm treatments, dental work, and other treatments.
Web: www.celiahammond.org
LONDON (North): Spay & Neuter and North London Animal Rescue - Tel: 07852166883
LONDON (South East): Offering free cat neutering to those receipt of state benefits or on a low income. Call 07952 680 522 for a free neutering voucher. Please note this offer is limited due to a limited budget and you must live in the South East London area.
MIDLANDS (Birmingham): The Pet Vaccination Clinic: Low cost neutering for cats and dogs, 179 Lea Hall Road, Stelmford, Birmingham, B33 8JX. Tel: 0121 783 5085
MIDLANDS (Coventry): The Pet Vaccination Clinic: Low cost neutering for cats and dogs, 102 Moseley Avenue, Coventry, West Midlands, CV6 1HQ. Tel: 02476 594242
MIDLANDS (Nuneaton): Low cost dog and cat neutering, and pet vaccinations available to all pet owners, whether on state benefits or not ~ 44 Church Road, Nuneaton, West Midlands, CV10 8LD ~ Tel: 02476 386855
NORFOLK: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE: Prevent Unwanted Pets (PUP) helping people on a low income towards the cost of having their dogs and cats spayed or neutered. Tel: 0115 963 8238 or Email: pup@preventunwantedpets.org Web: www.preventunwantedpets.co.uk, Reg. Charity: 702569
SUSSEX (Worthing, West Sussex): Worthing Animal Clinic, 30/32 Newland Road, Tel: 01903 202248, or email: worthinganimal@tiscali.co.uk Website: www.worthinganimal.co.uk
YORKSHIRE (Bradford / Shipley): 'Petvax' - a low cost Veterinary Neutering and Vaccinating Clinic, Tel: 01274 597070, or visit their website: www.petvax.co.uk
YORKSHIRE WEST (Dewsbury): Richmond House Veterinary Centre offers permanently low rates for all dog and cat neutering, regardless of whether you are on benefits or not. Address: 4751 Savile Road, Dewsbury, West Yorks, WF12 9PW. Tel: 01924 462428
YORKSHIRE WEST (Leeds/Wakefield): West Riding Cat Welfare Trust offers neutering support and advice on any matters relating to cat welfare.
Postal Adddress: Freepost, RRGS-ETJL-AHER, 10 The Nook, Tingley, West Yorkshire, WF3 1EB.
Tel: 0113 252
6880
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Email: westridingcatrescue@yahoo.com |
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Cat Chat, the Cat Rescue Resource
Helping Cats • Helping Shelters • Finding Homes!
Registered Charity No. 1100649
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