The prolific breeding of cats, both domesticated and feral, needs urgent attention.
One entire female cat can start reproducing when they reach puberty, which can be as early as four months of age. Cats can come on heat multiple times per year.
Each cat can have on average 4 – 6 kittens per litter.
Each cat can have potentially 3 litters per year.
This equates to, on average, 12 – 18 kittens per cat EACH year!
The lifespan of a cat is anything up to 15 years (less for a feral cat) which can easily number an astounding 168 kittens for EACH cat in her lifetime!
Spaying (neutering) cats will not only decrease her risk of mammary cancer, it will also help to eliminate tomcats coming onto your property.
Neutering (castration) of a tom cat has many benefits. Decreased aggression, spraying, roaming, injuries as well as the obvious inability to mate.
The figures for healthy cats and dogs that are euthanised every year in Australia is a staggering 250,000. Add to this the number of backyard litter drowning and the dumping of litters on roadsides etc and the number is mind blowing!
There are just not enough homes for this volume of cats. Figures show that one in four households in Australia owns at least one cat.
It has become easier and cheaper to just keep dumping litters than to find homes or neuter these cats.
It is impossible to comprehend that as a society we unquestionably accept the killing of healthy companion animals rather than seek a workable solution for this growing problem.
Pet owners need to be responsible for their pet and the danger that they present to Australian Wildlife.
The answers however need to be realistic and achievable.
It is easy to say that all pets (unless exempt for breeding purposes) must be neutered and kept indoors of a night.
This could be looked at as a long term goal.
Changes have to be implemented immediately as this is a problem that is escalating daily.
We believe that if the Government would subsidise neutering of cats it will be step one in this complex issue.
There are various options that would enable this to work:
i) The Government could set up a program within each Shire which would be under the supervision of the Shire Ranger (this would also help to create new jobs).
Holders of Healthcare / Pension Cards could register their cats at a flat fee of $5 per cat which is an excellent incentive to encourage registering. With the registration comes a voucher that allows each registered cat a subsidised neuter (fees to be determined, but they MUST be realistic).
OR
ii) The Government work directly with all Veterinary practices subsidising all neutering of cats by Healthcare / Pension card holders. This plan is less likely to ensure that all cats are also registered.
The Government needs to work with struggling families to achieve success in a cat neuter program.
It is our belief that this first step, while only small in the overall picture is a step forward.
** Photo credit: PIXABAY
