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- Title
Feline relinquishment: how can the veterinary profession help reduce this?
- Authors
Bourne, Vanessa
- Abstract
Cats may not be as popular a choice for pets in Ireland as dogs are. However, rehoming centres are consistently full to bursting. The veterinary profession can help reduce the rate of feline relinquishment through education and early intervention before the pet-human bond is broken. There are a number of common causes of feline relinquishment, with overpopulation being a significant problem. Other reported reasons for relinquishment include behavioural issues (for example inappropriate elimination and aggression), owner expectations, and changes in owner circumstances, old age and illness. This article discusses reasons for overpopulation and how veterinarians can help reduce this. Recent years have brought record numbers for the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) in terms of inspectors dealing with indiscriminate breeding of cats. There is a relative lack of research on neutering owned or feral cats in Ireland, but it is generally considered low and overpopulation is a recognised problem. Most feline pregnancies are regarded as unplanned. The ISPCA launched the SpayAware campaign with the support of Veterinary Ireland in 2002 (http://www.spayaware.ie/index.php). As part of a grassroots effort by animal-welfare groups and individuals across Ireland, SpayAware has been highlighting the importance of spaying and neutering to address the pet overpopulation crisis. Member vets have access to posters and fact sheets that they can display in clinics across Ireland, providing information and education for owners. There is no reliable data on the number of feral cat colonies in Ireland; numbers are estimated to be in excess of 200,000 but may vastly exceed this. Uncontrolled feral colonies have the potential to grow quickly, which can lead to increased spread of disease and decrease of available food and environment, affecting the colonies’ overall health. The increasing number may also be regarded as a nuisance. The ISPCA oversaw the re-launch of Feral Cat Awareness Week in August 2019 to promote utilisation of trap, neuter and return (TNR) initiatives in order to control the feral feline population. Effective neutering is widely regarded as the principal way to control the cat population and there have been a number of charity-driven subsidised neutering schemes. Given that both male and female cats can reach sexual maturity at four months of age, it makes sense to consider the advantages and disadvantages of neutering cats earlier than the traditionally recommended age of six months. A study in the UK reported that 51% of respondents did not recommend neutering cats before six months of age (Murray et al, 2008). The appropriateness of neutering at this traditional age has been challenged by various studies (Howe et al 2000; Spain et al 2004; Joyce and Yates, 2011). Recommending early neutering can have financial benefits for the practice. Once the kitten vaccination course has been completed, neutering can be booked in a timely fashion, allowing for increased revenue. Allowing for a more traditional approach of neutering at six months can mean clients are lost to follow up or females may become pregnant.
- Subjects
IRELAND; FELIDAE; ANIMAL welfare; FERAL cats; CATS; CAT breeds; EARLY intervention (Education); OLD age
- Publication
Veterinary Ireland Journal, 2020, Vol 10, Issue 8, p437
- ISSN
2009-3942
- Publication type
Article