Kitten
season is here, though in reality it never really stops as cats can and do get
pregnant all year round.
However in recent weeks we have had numerous pregnant cats, and cats with young
kittens, signed over to us due to owners being unable cope...and the one
overriding, common theme? These cats have all been "house cats".
The issue around keeping cats as indoor-only pets can be contentious. Here at
RSPCA Worcester we believe that cats should be afforded the opportunity to go
outside and explore wherever possible, and the fact that we see so many
"house cats" escaping from their indoor-only lives gives further credence
to the view that most cats do desire the freedom to roam.
Even more worrying are the numbers of "house cats" that are neither
chipped nor neutered - owners wrongly believing that as they intend for their
cats to live inside, microchipping and neutering isn't necessary. Yet when
those cats get outside not only are they more likely to wander if unneutered (a
female in season will travel to seek out a mate, and entire males will
constantly roam in search of female cats, invariably fighting with male cats
they encounter), they then can't be identified if they become lost or, even
worse, get into an accident.
And in many cases the cats who DO find their way home will return having mated,
and very soon yet more unwanted litters of kittens are being born-which is
where we often find ourselves being contacted to find rescue space.
Whether you choose to allow your cat outdoor access or not doesn't necessarily
mean that they won't get outside at some point in their life, therefore it is
essential that ALL cats are vaccinated, neutered and microchipped. Kittens can
become pregnant themselves from as young as four months and even if you are
lucky enough that your cat never does manage to escape for this to happen,
neutering also prevents many illnesses and cancers from developing longer term.
From the moment we bring an animal into our lives we take on a huge
responsibility - it is down to us to look out for them and getting them
microchipped and neutered is absolutely vital, regardless of whether you intend
for them to go outside or not.
Cats are independent, free-spirited creatures and if you are lucky enough to
share your life with one you will soon come to realise this! If a cat wants to
escape they most likely will, so please take the necessary precautions and get
them chipped and neutered.
RSPCA and Cats Protection do run a discounted scheme for those on a low income
so there really is no excuse.. you owe it to your cats, and it is also the
number one way you can help animal rescue centres like ours. We never want to
have to turn away a cat in need, yet sometimes our pens and foster homes are
full of pregnant cats and newborn, unplanned kittens. It doesn't need to be
like this. Something has to change so please do the right thing by your cats,
and in doing so help us to help other cats in need!