-Spaying a female before her first or second heat will greatly reduce the threat of mammary cancer and uterine disease. A cat does not need to have at least one litter to be healthy, nor will they "miss" motherhood.
-Neutering a male cat will, in almost all cases, stop him from spraying (territorial marking), fighting with other males (at least over females), as well as lengthen his life and improve its quality.
-The female cat reaches sexual maturity within 6 - 10 months; most vets suggest spaying at 4 - 5 months, before her first heat period. Males usually reach sexual maturity between 9 and 12 months. Kittens should weigh 2 pounds (around nine weeks of age) before altering.
-Female cats are "polyestrous", which means they may have many heat periods over the course of a year.
-Cat families usually play best in even numbers. Cats and kittens should be acquired in pairs whenever possible.
-Stroking a cat is proven to lower one's blood pressure!
Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) programs are well documented
as not only the most humane way, but the most effective way
of reducing feral (non-domesticated) cat populations success-
fully over time. Please click here for further information about ferals.
Copyright, DI MEOW, 2006