Animals – Snip’n’Chip your cats

Desexing, also known as speying (for females) or neutering (for males), is a common veterinary procedure with numerous benefits for your cat and the community. Here are some key reasons why desexing your cat is important:

Prevents unwanted litters: One of the most significant benefits of desexing is decreasing the number of kittens in our environment. Each year, thousands of cats end up in foster homes and shelters waiting for permanent families, and many are euthanised. By desexing your cat, you can help reduce the number of unwanted cats and kittens in New Zealand.

Behavioural benefits: Desexing can help reduce or eliminate certain undesirable behaviours in cats. Male cats are less likely to roam, fight with other cats, and mark their territory with urine after being neutered. Female cats are less likely to yowl and exhibit restlessness during heat cycles.

Promotes longevity: Desexed cats live longer, healthier lives. They are at a lower risk of being injured or contracting diseases through mating, fighting and roaming. The average life expectancy of an entire tomcat in New Zealand is less than four years old.

Community benefits: Desexing your cat helps reduce the number of stray and feral cats in our community. Stray and feral cats can be a nuisance, and they may also spread diseases to pet cats. By desexing your cat, you’re helping to control the cat population and improve the overall well-being of cats in your community.

Cost-effective: While there is a cost associated with desexing, it is often more cost-effective in the long run, compared to caring for litters of kittens or treating health issues related to not being desexed. We are excited to be able to again offer the SPCA-sponsored desexing via their Snip’n’Chip campaign, where the cost to pet owners is $30, or less in some circumstances. This is applied for online, is very easy to do and a great opportunity to get your cat microchipped and registered on the NZ Companion Animal Register also!

Environmental benefits: Cats are highly skilled hunters, and larger numbers of cats within rural and environmentally sensitive areas means native wildlife will suffer. Another consequence is spreading certain diseases that affect stock such as toxoplasmosis. In the area north of Auckland, cats tend to be able to breed all year round, as compared with southern regions where they stop being fertile during the winter. As such, an unspeyed female may be able to produce a litter of three to six kittens, from six months of age, two or three times a year; and her kittens do the same. The numbers have thus exploded within the Northland environment.

In conclusion, desexing your cat before it is six months old is a great choice that can benefit your cat, your community, and you as a pet owner.