Here at Cheltenham Animal Shelter, we celebrate World Spay Day to highlight the importance of neutering our pets, and to advocate how neutering can be highly beneficial for our pet’s welfare.
In 2024 alone we looked after a total of 67 kittens. 40 were born at the Shelter, 20 were brought in as strays, and 7 were signed over because their previous owner was no longer able to care for them.
Neutering is an operation that prevents female cats getting pregnant, and stops male cats impregnating female cats. For females this procedure is known as ‘spaying,’ and for male cats a ‘castration.’
In 2024 we neutered approximately 91 cats and kittens.
As responsible pet owners it is important to understand the benefits of neutering our pets, the procedure can have a positive impact on their health, behaviour, as well as preventing unwanted litters.
Cats can get pregnant from 4 months of age. Unneutered cats should not mix after this time, including siblings. It is a myth that there are benefits to our cats having a litter before neutering. In fact, as cats can get pregnant so young, it could even be harmful for them to have a litter when they are so small themselves.
Not only can neutering prevent unwanted litters but you are also:
Protecting female cats
- Neutering can help protect your cat from getting diseases including some cancers and tumours.
- Reduces the risk of womb infections.
- Repeated pregnancies can affect the cat’s body condition and leave them vulnerable to diseases.
- Protecting female cats from the risks of pregnancy.
Protecting male cats
- Can help prevent them from roaming further away from home, which can carry risks including getting lost and car accidents.
- Can reduce the risk of cats getting into fights with other cats, which can result in injury.
- Unneutered male cats are at more risk of contracting FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). Cats can become infected with FIV through cat bites. CLICK HERE to read the Blue Cross news article on FIV.
- It can also help prevent ‘spraying’ in your home. Cats spray urine to mark territory. Unneutered cats will also spray to attract potential mates. In unneutered cats this can lead to spraying in your home and garden.
Helping to reduce the cost of cat ownership
- Pregnant cats come with vet bills.
- The cost of looking after the kittens after birth.
Before your cat is neutered it is important for both your cat and those around you to
- Keep unneutered cats inside!
- Ensure siblings of the opposite sex are kept separate from four months of age.
