CHARITIES and vets have joined forces in North and South Wales to provide heavily discounted neutering and microchipping for anyone on a low income.
Cat owners will be able to take advantage of cat neutering and, if needed, microchipping for just £10 if their household income is under £25,000 or they receive income-based benefits.
Cats Protection has partnered with Murphy & Co Vets and the RSPCA in North Wales and MobiVet, Swansea Cat Clinic and Gibson & Jones Vets in South Wales to provide the low-cost neutering, which is available in Port Talbot, Neath, Llanelli, Merthyr, Aberdare, Treorchy, Tylerstown, Maesteg, Aberkenfig, Bangor, Maesgeirchen, Llandudno and Rhyl. For anybody not in those areas, there are additional opportunities being added as well as support from nearby Cats Protection branches.
Interested cat owners should register on the dedicated websites for North Wales and South Wales after which they will receive a phone call to ensure they are eligible and then receive a voucher to attend the partnered local vet or mobile operating theatre.
The partnership has already received 70 enquiries in the north and 659 in the south, with teams hoping to reach as many cats as possible before the end of the summer.
Jo Griffiths, Cats Protection Community Engagement Officer running the scheme, says: “Neutering is a kind, responsible choice that not only means you’re doing the very best for your cat but it also supports the wider community and helps create a safer, kinder world for all animals.
“Neutering is a big part of responsible pet ownership and has so very many benefits for your cat beyond preventing unwanted kittens. We’ve seen a remarkable turn-out so far and are looking forward to meeting many more cats and their owners in the coming weeks.”
Neutered cats are less likely to roam, reducing their risk of getting lost or injured. They’re less prone to certain cancers and infections, such as uterine infections in females and testicular cancer in males.
Neutering can also help reduce spraying, aggression, and other stress-related behaviours, making for a calmer, happier pet, while also helping reduce the number of stray and abandoned cats, easing the burden on rescue centres and shelters.
For more information and to register in North Wales visit Cats Protection’s North Wales page and for South Wales visit Cats Protection South Wales page or email [email protected].
Alternatively visit the Wales Cat Neutering Support Facebook page where details of all areas are now featured.
