(CN) Neutering program may cut cat numbers

[Guest guest]

Neutering program may cut cat numbers

By Emma Dong

Shanghai Daily

2009-2-9

 

THE number of stray cats in Shanghai may fall by about 40,000 a year after the

Shanghai Small Animal Protection Association introduced a program to sterilize

stray cats.

 

" We already have three veterinary clinics involved that can provide 20 or 30

sterilizations a month, " said Tao Rongfang, from the association. " These

operations will be free or cost much less than normal. The vets have agreed to

charge a maximum of 50 yuan (US$7.30) for each operation, a tenth of the

standard price. "

 

Residents who want to have stray cats in their area sterilized can apply to the

association and, if approved, take the cats to a participating vet to be

neutered.

 

After they are sterilized, the stray cats will be kept until they are adopted.

Those not adopted will be released back on to the streets. Zhang Yi, the head of

the association, says this is the best way to control the sharply increasing

number of stray cats.

 

" A cat can give birth to three to six kittens a year, many more offspring than a

dog, " Tao said. " There isn't an accurate count, but there are hundreds of

thousands of stray cats in Shanghai. "

 

However, an animal lover who declined to be named told Shanghai Daily that it

was cruel to sterilize stray cats. " Cats have lives, and they have the right to

fall in love and have babies. "

 

But Tao said the operation wouldn't have any negative effects. " Animals may

become more docile between three months and a year after the operation, because

they have fewer male hormones in their bodies. "

 

The Shanghai Small Animal Protection Association can be contacted on 6143-2446.

 

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200902/20090209/article_390313.htm