Kitten Season, the time of year when most cats give birth, is almost here. The season begins in May and lasts through November. During this time, thousands of cats will give birth and shelters and concerned citizens will try desperately to find homes for the kittens. While they may be able to place some, ultimately the number of kittens will far exceed the number of available homes. This is why Lee County is urging cat owners to sterilize their pets now before they breed again.
Lee County Domestic Animal Services (LCDAS) is pleased to report that low-cost and even no-cost spaying and neutering options are now available to pet owners. “With options available for all income levels, please do not wait until your cat is pregnant before deciding to do something,” urges Donna Ward, LCDAS Director.
LCDAS offers free spay/neuter surgery for cats and dogs of Lee County residents who receive public assistance – their only cost is $8.00 for a one-year pet license. For owners experiencing financial problems who do not qualify for the public assistance program, there are several private low-cost spay/neuter clinics in Lee County.
Free spay/neuter surgery is also offered by LCDAS for feral cats through a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Program. Caretakers now may have feral and free-roaming community cats sterilized so they no longer breed. Proponents of TNR advise that feeding feral cats without spaying and neutering isn’t the answer and contributes to thousands of unnecessary deaths each year.
Veterinarians from the University of Florida estimate there are 98,000 free-roaming feral and community cats in Lee County. These cats breed prolifically and the pattern of birth and ultimate death for thousands of cats continues. Kittens that don’t die from starvation or predation end up in shelters where there aren’t enough homes to go around.
For more information about Lee County Domestic Animal Services programs call (239) 533-7387 (LEE-PETS) or go online to www.LeeLostPets.com.
