Dear Rita,

The cool weather sure is nice for our outside cats. I would like to know why animal lovers can't really get folks involved in spaying and neutering their animals. All animal groups talk about this. At Animal Control y'all have a low cost spay/neutering program for folks on government subsidy.  There are USA Spay certificates, low-cost programs such as what we offer and we've even run ads in the paper. Somehow we need another way to make folks understand What ideas do you have that might help? 

As always,

John Ervin

Dear John,

Spaying and neutering is the number one thing you can do for your pet.  If your pet is fixed. thank you.

One additional thing you can do in the name of helping cats is to sponsor another...meaning make a donation to have another's cat fixed.  Just fixing one cat will stop hundreds from being born.

Prevention of pregnancy is the key to stop others from suffering in our future. Just because you give kittens to a "good home" doesn't mean that person will give off-spring to a good home. Never give a cat away that isn't fixed. 

Education is the key. Not only is it great to not allow one to reproduce, but several health factors can be pevented by sterilization. I am constantly amazed with just how many people do not know what "spay" means. When I discuss sterilization with folks, I try to call it by 4 different names in the conversation: spay/neuter, sterilization, fixed, preventing birth of kittens, hoping that at least one of the names will get the person to whom I speak educated.

Those of us in this line of work have been doing this for years, but yet the doors still fill with homeless kittens and it is very discouraging. Then I remember that just a few years ago, it was socially OK to drink and drive, to smoke inside, now it isn't. 

We strive for the day that is is a public shame to own unsterilized animals.

Thank you,

Rita Cavenaugh