Cat Information and Resources in Our Community
Why Spaying/Neutering is Important
Cats can become pregnant as early as 5 months old and can have up to 4 litters/year. During her reproductive life, one female can birth over 100 kittens. Cats never have menopause. They can reproduce their entire lives. Approximately 18,250 cats are born in the US every day. There are currently approximately 82 million stray cats in the US. Over 2 million cats are euthanized at shelters and facilities each year and even with such a high euthanasia rate…numbers of homeless cats continue to increase each year. It is a cycle of intake and euthanasia into shelters for a small number of the overall homeless cat population with little to no impact on the number of homeless cats on the streets in the US. As a Country we have to stop the births of kittens through spaying and neutering all cats.
Spay/neuter is a simple solution to the complex problem of euthanasia. Sterilizing cats and dogs mean fewer animals crowd shelters, and fewer animals are ultimately being euthanized. Reducing strain on shelter systems also allows them to devote more resources to each animal, thereby increasing their chance of survival.
- It stops unwanted litters of kittens and puppies. This service reduces animal overpopulation; therefore, the number of dogs and cats surrendered to shelters or intentionally abandoned is dramatically reduced.
- The capture, impoundment, and eventual euthanasia of unwanted animals cost taxpayers and private humanitarian agencies over a billion dollars each year. Preventing the births of unwanted animals saves the community money.
- Trap-Neuter-Return humanely reduces feral cat overpopulation. It is the only proven method to reduce feral and community cat populations.
- Sterilizing makes a better pet.
Resources for Spaying and Neutering: Feral Cat-Friendly Vet Clinics
https://sanantonioferalcats.org
This is a wonderful organization based in San Antonio. I encourage everyone to sign up for their newsletter and review their site for information on TNR (trap, neuter, release), low cost spay and neuter clinics, and volunteer opportunities to help feral cats in the community.
https://sahumane.org/feral-cats
The San Antonio Humane Society offers up to date information on low cost spay and neutering at their facilities
https://www.trucatchtraps.com/feral-cat-traps
These are the best cat traps if you are interested in helping to trap and fix homeless cats in your community. They are simple to use. Bear Den Sanctuary also offers a loan program to borrow tru catch traps to help facilitate the trapping of homeless cats.
https://adltexas.org/spay-neuter-services/feral-cat-sterilization-days/
https://www.sanantonio.gov/Animal-Care/What-We-Do-Services/Outdoor-Cats-TNR
The City of San Antonio is making strides to help homeless cats in San Antonio through TNR efforts.
https://www.alleycat.org/resources/feral-and-stray-cats-an-important-difference/
Alley Cat Allies is a wonderful resource to advocate for homeless cats
https://bestfriends.org/stories/features/helping-stray-cats-san-antonio-texas
Best Friends is based in Utah. It’s the largest animal sanctuary in the United States. Their goal is to make the United States kill free by 2025…to end animal euthanizations due to homeless animal overpopulation.
https://www.caninejournal.com/adopt-dont-shop/
The importance of adopting instead of buying a cat or dog
https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/overpopulation/feral-cats/
Resource Videos
Video: The Dodo Cat | Hissing feral cat falls in Love with Guy who rescued him
Video: The Dodo Cat | These two feral cats will restore your faith in true love
Video: The Dodo Cat Crazy | Feral cat holds his foster mom’s hand
Video: The Dodo Cat Crazy | Watch this scruffy feral cat turn into a blue-eyed beauty
Video: The Dodo Cat Crazy | Aggressive feral cat loves to cuddle now
