with finding a mate and will yowl almost continuously. “Owning a female cat on heat can be quite hard to handle as they cry incessantly, which can lead to many sleepless nights,” Ms Wenderhold said. “On the other hand, undesexed males are constantly wandering in search of a female and therefore put themselves in danger by crossing roads. Another serious issue to consider is that diseases can be transmitted during the mating act.” Many believe it is better to allow a female to have one litter before desexing, but medical evidence indicates the opposite. There is actually no health, emotional or behavioural benefits linked to waiting. “Allowing a female to have a litter before desexing isn’t advisable at all as it actually increases her chance of developing mammory cancer,” Ms Wenderhold continued. “Many people question ‘how does one little litter hurt?’ but they don’t realise that for every cat they rehome can mean a death sentence for cats already waiting for a home in shelters. The NDN is pushing for mandatory desexing laws so that every cat in shelters and pet shops is sold desexed, that way the responsibility is shifted from the new owner.” It is understandable that many owners are put-off by the thought of spending
Every hour of every day cats and dogs are kil 23 healthy led in shelters across Australia simp ly because they have no homes.
experts and welfare leagues worldwide have dismissed this belief as nothing but an absurd myth. It is uneducated beliefs like this that threaten to derail projects like the NDN. If every owner had the opinion that ‘a male cat has to do what a male cat has to do’ then the overpopulation problem would spiral even more out of control. Overpopulation is significantly worse during the summer months because it is breeding season. The majority of litters are born within weeks of each other at a time, which means shelters are inundated with hundreds of surrendered kittens. Primarily the Christmas period is meant to be a time of joy, but for cats and dogs it can be distressing and heartbreaking as well as for those caring for them in shelters and pounds. There is a misconception that finding homes for kittens is easy but this is not the case. During breeding season you are
“Overpopulation is significantly worse during the summer months because it is breeding season.” money, especially in this economic climate, but an undesexed kitten can make for a very expensive adult cat. The surgery is a one-off cost and a bargain compared to the cost of caring for a mother and her litter. AdvAntAgES of dESExing n You will not be faced with the financial burden of finding money for food and vet bills for the offspring. n Desexing can save you the emotional stress and financial hassle of having to fork out for expensive surgeries from car accidents or fights, which are less likely if your pet doesn’t roam. n On an ethical level, desexing also reduces the cost to the community of having to care for unwanted or unexpected kittens in pounds and shelters. n Although you may not have direct responsibility as the owner of a male cat, you will be morally responsible for the suffering, which can follow. Men often refuse to desex males because they believe it is inhumane and a blow to the cat’s masculinity. Vets, animal
32
k i t t e n s & c at s a n n u a l 2 0 1 2
competing with tens of hundreds of kittens also needing to find homes. Additionally, shelters and pounds will be overflowing. Ms Wenderhold admits that in the warmer months it is not only kitten numbers that will rise but adult cats too. “Summer can be a very unfair time for mature cats in shelters as they often get overlooked because most people are instantly attracted to the little kittens,” she said. During breeding season, not-for-profit rehoming organisations – such as the Animal Welfare League of Qld who rely on community donations and council support – are placed under immense pressure. They struggle to make additional room for the influx of animals and to find the money and resources to care for them. To animal lovers it can be distressing to learn that many people view pets from shelters much like a used car. There is the disconcerting belief that adopting from a shelter is the same as buying ‘used goods’ or buying ‘someone else’s problems’. However, the majority of surrendered animals are not dangerous or problematic. They simply come from owners who did not consider the time, effort and expense
involved in caring for them. While some of the pets that have been neglected or abandoned need training and gentle discipline, most arrive at the shelter with basic manners. Most shelters rehome pets that have been desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, wormed and have had a physical examination. Adopting a kitten or cat not only helps to combat overpopulation, it can serve as an invaluable lesson to children. A child can be taught the value of a second chance and basic values of compassion and caring, especially for those less fortunate. Many people are quick to dismiss shelters because they have their minds set on a purebred and believe shelters only house mixed breeds. But at least one out of every four pets living in shelters across the country are, in fact, purebreds. The sad fact is that there are just far too many homeless cats and dogs – both mixed breed and purebred. Another important thing to consider as a pet owner is that microchips must be updated whenever your personal details change. It is surprising the number of animals who end up in pounds and shelters because their owners cannot be contacted. Every hour of every day 23 healthy cats and dogs are killed in shelters across Australia simply because they have no homes. Reducing this shocking statistic lies with each individual owner and the choices they make. Remember, for every cat that is accidentally bred there is another one already waiting for a second chance at life in a shelter or pound.
Kate Baker is a radio journalist and a volunteer writer for the Animal Welfare League of Queensland. She is an animal lover of both domestic pets and wildlife. She hopes to use her communication skills in the areas of animal welfare and wildlife and environmental conservation. Email: communications@awlqld.com.au