A Thanet volunteer group and a cellular veterinary service that teamed up in 2020 to cut back the inflow of cats and kittens into native rescues say they’ve neutered 260 cats so far by a low cost scheme.
Missing Cats and Strays in Thanet (MCST) and Vet2U say motion was wanted, significantly through the covid pandemic when many vets have been solely taking over emergency appointments and meant neutering appointments have been decreased or halted.
The group and vets say that post-pandemic the issue continued with pets given up as a result of cost of residing disaster or folks returning to work and feeling unable to take care of their animals correctly.
At the top of final yr one animal charity mentioned it was caring for such an enormous variety of cats that prices for treating and caring for them might now not be met,
Cats in Crisis had greater than 100 cats in its care being taken care of within the houses of volunteers as there isn’t any rescue centre.
Lucy Cook, from MCST, mentioned: “ To combat this we collaborated to try and get the wait lists down and reduced the price in order to provide an incentive to those struggling financially to get their cats neutered. Our offer is not means tested so it is available for anyone to use – regardless of income, unlike other low-cost services.
“Dr Kate Higgs, and nurses Carina, Kerry and Gemma all donate their time and skills to make this happen. In total we have managed to neuter over 260 cats.”
Neutering takes place on the Vet2u headquarters on the old Haine Road Industrial property and is organised by Missing Cats and Strays in Thanet.
It prices £50 for a male and £75 for a feminine, with £10 further if a microchip is required. The worth is inclusive of any medicine.
It will probably be a authorized requirement on June 10 this yr to have cats 20 weeks of age onwards microchipped.
Lucy mentioned: “Spaying and castrating reduces unwanted kittens and reduces transmission of potentially fatal diseases such as FIV and FELV. It also puts an end to any reproductive cancers or serious conditions such as pyometra.
“Sadly we find many unneutered cats go missing from their homes when they roam to find a mate- this also contributes to the amount of deceased cats we pick up on the roads. This not only affects the unneutered as many cats will be hassled and bullied by unneutered toms which causes them to roam or run away from home and sadly cross busy roads.”
Dr Kate Higgs, of Vet2u, added: “Part of our ethos is to be a vet practice that is part of the community. Helping the cats of Thanet to get neutered allows us to in part fulfil some of this role.
“It’s also great to know we are helping to reduce the population of unwanted cats in Thanet.”
The subsequent neutering day will take place on April 16 and reserving is crucial by messaging Missing Cats and Strays in Thanet on Facebook.
