In seven years one female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats.

Every year in Ontario, tens of thousands of cat are destroyed. The vast majority are young, healthy and friendly. More cats are born than will ever find homes. You can help these cats by having your pets spayed or neutered and encouraging others to do the same.

Cats who haven't been spayed or neutered are more likely to roam. When female cats go into heat, they attract males from great distances. Some cats get hit by cars, some are stolen or injured in fights. Others end up in pounds. Both males and females are at risk.

Keeping your cat inside doesn't guarantee safety. Accidental escapes occur and cats who haven't been spayed or neutered and can't reach potential mates, may develop stress-related health and behaviour problems.

Spaying or neutering eliminates or significantly decreases the risk of developing certain health problems such as:

• ovarian tumours and uterine growths.
• Pyometra, a potentially fatal uterine infection.
• Mastitis, a painful infection of mammary glands.
• Mammary tumours and cancer.
• and death when babies are born.

Spaying and neutering are safe

Spaying is the removal of a female cat's ovaries and uterus, and can be done safely even if the cat is pregnant. Neutering is the removal of a male cat's testicles.
Spaying or neutering might reduce an animal's activity level, but this does not need to result in weight gain. A healthy diet and sufficient exercise can help your cat maintain a healthy weight. Male cats generally stop spraying when neutered.

Please remember that if you spay or neuter your cat, you will have many happy, healthy years together.