To prevent unwanted pets we encourage pet owners to act responsibly and have their pets neutered.
It is the socially responsible thing to do in any country and even more so here in Shanghai where there is a vast surplus of cats and dogs.
Many of these animals end up abandoned or end up being rescued by organizations like PPAR whose resources to care for these animals are stretched beyond its limits. In fact, many more are neglected, even euthanized, if they are no longer wanted, or are left to become feral and continue to escalate the homeless animal population (where uncared for and unvaccinated they can continue to spread diseases amongst their animal community).
Breeding facts
Cats can reproduce at a very young age. Some as early as four months, but the average age would be six to nine months. They are not yet physically or mentally mature. They only weigh in at approximately 75% of their adult weight, but they are ready, willing and able to make babies. And they can continue to do so for many years to come.
The estrus (heat) cycles of female cats are influenced by changes in our season and the amount of daylight available. Once a female cat begins a cycle of heat, she will continue to come back into heat every 14 -21 days until she is bred.
During her cycle of heat, a female cat may become a really obnoxious animal. She will most likely be extremely vocal, howling non-stop while looking for a mate. She will roll around on the floor, rub against furniture, your legs or any object in reach.
If you touch or talk to her, she may assume the breeding stance with her head and front legs on the ground and her rump up in the air. She may be overly affectionate, to the point where she will not leave you alone for a second.
Lastly, she will need to urinate often in hopes of attracting her mate with scent. All this will last upwards of two weeks. Many people become very frustrated with this behavior and throw the cat outside to get a break. Well ... guess what? Outside she will undoubtedly find what she was looking for, a willing male. And all of this could have been prevented by having had her spayed.
If she gets bred, you can expect a litter of kittens in 58 to 65 days.
The average litter is four to six kittens. A female cat can have up to three litters a year. When you do the math, it is overwhelming.
If one female cat and her kittens are left unspayed, they can produce a mind blowing 420,000 cats in seven years. Finding a home for all those cats is next to impossible!
Hereafter, you will find that most animal shelters or responsible Vets would recommend you neuter your pet to help control this overpopulation and to avoid unwanted animals to suffer.
Facts about Neutering
It is advisable to do so when they are between six and eight months and it is not advisable any younger than this.
Pets must be in good health before being neutered and must have had all their relevant vaccinations.
It is a myth that they need to have "just one litter" to be a better cat.
They will in fact be far happier and healthier for being neutered and you will have the knowledge that you are not contributing to the thousands of unwanted pets that are abandoned every year.
Spaying is reserved for female animals (the ovaries and uterus are removed) while male animals are castrated (testicles removed).
The procedures are not dangerous and the animal is usually allowed to go back home in a day.
After the operation, you should keep your pet quiet and confined to the house for a day or two.
Give them water in small amounts, but be careful not to harm the incision through handling. If the incision swells or becomes red or a stitch becomes loose, call your veterinarian. It takes about 10 days for a female to heal completely and 3 days for the male. However, male cats must be indoors for a week to avoid attacks by other cats.
Advantages to having your pets neutered
1. Males become less aggressive and lose their wanderlust.
2. Male cats are less likely to mark territory by spraying their scent glands, which emit a strong odor unpleasant to humans.
3. Females will not go into heat.
4. You will not have the problem of finding homes for unwanted puppies or kittens.
5. Your animals will live longer.
6. Female cats have less risk of uterine infection (pyrometra) and breast cancer; they have no risk of ovarian cancer or uterine cancer (if the uterus has been removed). Female dogs have similar lowered risks.
7. Male dogs and cats are less likely to contract prostate cancer.
8. Pets are more affectionate after they are neutered.