Today is World Spay Day and the RSPCA is urging cat owners to neuter their pets as unprecedented numbers of felines continue to fill its animal centres locally, and across the country.
Worryingly, the surge is happening outside the traditional “kitten season” in summer. December alone saw a 30% increase in cats in care compared to the previous year (December 2024), an unprecedented rise for this time of year.
The key message from the charity is a plea for cat owners to neuter their pets and to stop unwanted breeding, which exacerbates the problem amid an ongoing “capacity and welfare crisis”.
Alice Potter, cat welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “The rising numbers of cats and kittens coming into our care is heartbreaking - and especially worrying in the winter months. Many are dumped or are kittens born in unsafe situations as part of a feral group.
“But owners can really do their bit to help with the capacity and welfare crisis. Cat owners who neuter their cats help stem this surge in unwanted pets.
“There is a misconception that cats can only become pregnant when they are older or that it’s healthy for them to have at least one litter of kittens but this isn’t the case - and some cats can become pregnant as young as four months of age, so neutering from this age is crucial.
"Neutering male cats can stop them spraying to mark territory, and from getting injuries while fighting. Neutered cats are also less likely to wander as far. Having them snipped can also stop cats from spreading the FIV Virus - which is spread through cat bites, often between male cats fighting over a mate.
“Caring for an unexpected litter of kittens is often costly and stressful and in extreme cases sees some owners cruelly dumping kittens on the roadside, in bins, or cardboard boxes - leaving the RSPCA and others to pick up the pieces.
“Fortunately, help is available through many local RSPCA branches and other charities to help cover the cost of neutering. But this is something all cat owners need to take very seriously.”
“World Spay Day is a great opportunity for everyone to promote the benefits of getting cats spayed - and to highlight that kittens need to be spayed as young as four months old," Alice added, "Many people are surprised that it is possible for felines to get pregnant that young - but it can happen, meaning owners need to take action early.”
