Cats are the second most common household pet, competing closely with dogs for the tile of “man’s best friend”. Cats provide many of the same benefits as dog ownership, namely companionship, but they require less maintenance. Though our feline friends do not require much from us, they do rely on us for the basics such as shelter, sustenance, and protection. The best place to start when it comes to protecting our pets is ensuring that they are spayed and neutered.
The Big Picture
Spays and neuters save lives. This practice is widely regarded as the most humane and effective way to improve animal welfare. A single female cat can have anywhere from 10-20 kittens in a year. And female cats can enter their first heat cycle as early as 4 months of age. As a result, a household with a pair of unaltered cats can easily produce dozens of kittens in just a few short years. The growth is exponential and there simply are not enough resources to care for every kitten born in the United States. According to the ASPCA’s national estimates in 2019 over 900,000 animals were euthanized in animal shelters due to overpopulation. This problem was only worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic in the years following as well.
What Can You Do?
Making a change starts at home. As a community, we can make a difference if we all commit to spaying and neutering the pets within our sphere of influence first. This will of course mean spaying and neutering pets within our own households, but also having conversations with friends, neighbors and family about the importance of spaying and neutering their own pets. The problem of euthanasia is massive, and it can be very easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of effort it would take to make a dent. However, we firmly believe that a community of like-minded people, which are united in purpose, can accomplish anything.
TCAP as a Resource
At TCAP, we do everything possible to remove cost as a factor in being a responsible pet owner. Cat spays and neuters cost anywhere from $35-$45. Sometimes our monthly specials will discount even those low prices. It is our mission to end euthanasia and improve animal welfare in North Texas. If you live in DFW, chances are high that we have a clinic near you. Give us a call at (940) 566-5551 to book an appointment that will save lives.
