General Chat

Yes Wendy, if ALL cats were neutered they would die out, but thats not going to happen!

Jayvee. The species wouldn't die out. In some places (Small British Islands) they have sortedout their feral problem, and so there isn't any cats getting pregnant there. There is more demand over there because they don't have as many unwanted cats producing litters. If ALL cats in the country were neutered, the species wouldn't disapear. Priority would go to cats which have been homed, and need rehoming. Kittens would most likely be produced by controlled breeding, (All cats health checked etc) but thats not going to happen any time soon as there is far too many about now!! I'm with Roxanne that pedigree's shouldn't be bred. I've had a pedigree before, but that was before I started working at Cats Protection. No cat should be bred with.

Jayvee, I dont think theres much chance of the domestic cat becoming extinct, If you could see the amount of cruelty that goes on In places where the cat has been left to breed naturally, I think you would understand. kittens being drowned because their not wanted, far better to have as many neutered as possible, I am against pedigree breeding of any animal, there are enough unwanted Animals in shelters, if people are true animal lovers , in my opinion their first choice would be to go to a shelter, not pay a fortune for a pedigree that probably has untold amount of problems from the breeding programmes. Roxanne

....but if every cat was neutered the species would die out, wouldn't it ? Are there any cat ethics on which types should be allowed to breed ? Should it only be the pedigree cats ?

Hello all, Thank you Top Cat for nudging this thread. First thing this morning made an appointment for Betty to be spayed 9th Dec. Spoke to the receptionist who has also put in a request for the bahaviour therapist to ring me and make an appointment. Thanks again to all for the advice. Pen x

lol! Sorry Bob, I'm not very good at explaining things sometimes! :D

Added by Top Cat - Paul on 26/11/2005 21:45:46 I quite like Spains method of neutering feral cats. They clip the ear tip off dont they? Over here we make a slit in their ear, but its not always visible, and a lot of places dont do it, so its sometimes unclear whether they're neutered. But I think taking the tip off is much better. Paul, I am a bit long in the tooth, but please explain How does taking the tip of an ear off...neuter an animal? I thought that the vital parts were more to the other end of the creature Bob I DO know what you meant, but you MUST be Clearer in what you say........... LLOOOLLL!!

I'd like to add something else which I have just remembered. It's an old wives tale that a queen needs one litter before being spayed. It makes no difference! (Apart from increasing her risks of illness' etc)

Nudging for Penelope Pit Stop. Having a cat neutered will increase its lifespan, make it less prone to diseases and reduce its spraying dramatically. Also it will stop the neighbourhoods unneutered toms from spraying up your doorstep, and peeing and pooing in your garden!

Yeah, it only costs about £30, (a little more for queens.)

All of my four cats are neutered and I got the last two from Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary, I had to have a home visit for the first but not the second as I was 'known' to them! Neutering is necessary and not that expensive! Julie xxx

Purple, Searles is a holiday camp on the Norfolk coast. We've just taken loads of cats from there. I thought it might be the same one.

Paul - don't know what you mean by Searles. These cats were all around Hemsby/Scratby area.

Awww, Mags. If mum is semi-feral, its best for her to be an outside cat. I know it seems harsh, but she may be having peeing problems because of her past. A cat will pee in places where they are happy, sad, scared, or feeling randy! Chances are its scared, because happy is usually marked with cheek sent glands. If you put her in your shed for 3 weeks, without letting her out, she should be fine, and will use it as her home. A cat wont use its litter tray if its a scarey place around the tray. Chances are you'll have to let her roam free i'm afraid.

About a month ago, my daughter got a kitten and her semi feral mother from the Cat & Kitten rescue centre (rescued from an Irish farm). There were 3 kittens to choose from, but the other 2 (a girl & boy) were more mature than the third kitten, so Nina chose her & her mum. The poor mother cat is less than 18 months old, and this was her second litter. She was actually expecting 4 kittens, but kitten Number 4 got stuck, so she had an emergency op and was spayed at the same time. This has caused slight bladder probs and she has peed on my bed 3 times!! Kitty (Bella - all black) will be spayed in February, when she's 6 months old. I just live in hope that mum's(Tilly - tabby & white) problem will lessen in time - it would be a shame not to let her sleep where she wants. maggie

Good point Jan! Yes CP does help, so does a company called SPAYWATCH, (google them, they do dogs too) and so does the PDSA (Depending on postcode/benifits)

My little feral girlie thinks I am her mumsy, she must be very confused!!lol

Hi Paul You don't appear to have mentioned that CP can assist with the cost of neutering, for individuals on benefits or low incomes. Jan

7 Weeks is usually said to be too early to be rehomed (Although its not VERY important). It should normally be nine weeks, because they would have had their first jab, and gives a bit longer to develop properly. 5-6 Weeks is usually about the time to take away from mumsy.

Just remembered. Our three look and have the large leggy build of a a siamese mixed with local tom. They also talk. They were taken from their Mum at about 5 weeks. We took them home at seven, which I believe is still quite early? We suspect someone didn't want some playing away recorded on the pedigree chart. :o) RW