It’s breeding season

Written by Carmen Dunn, former president of the Feral and Abandoned Cat Society, February 17, 2016

It is that time of year when breeding activity is entering another peak season for unfixed cats.

Females can go into heat year-round, but the early months on the calendar seem to be the most prevalent in our region. This is evidenced each spring by an overwhelming number of kittens being born and either surrendered to a shelter or rescue group, given away, thrown away, or left to their own devices outdoors, allowing the cycle of reproduction and overpopulation to continue.

Both male and female cats need to be fixed to help end this cycle. Cats typically become capable of reproduction between the ages of five and eight months.

A male cat can smell a female in heat from a mile away, literally. And if your female is not spayed, neighbourhood tom cats, some that you may not even recognize, will start showing up at your house.

Males spray urine and fight to compete for the opportunity to mate with a female in heat. The result may be noise, foul odours, potential for injuries and disease transmission, unhappy neighbours, and a couple of months later, an unwanted litter of kittens.

With an average gestation period of 63 -67 days, female cats that become pregnant in February, March and April will begin having kittens in April, May and June. Eight weeks later (the required age for kittens to be accepted into the SPCA), the media will arrive at the SPCA in Sydney to report on how overrun the shelter is with cats and kittens and how long the waiting list is for more to be taken in. It has become a predictable script each year, and yet, it doesn't have to be this way.

Neglect of domestic cats and dogs, by not having them spayed or neutered, is a worldwide problem. That is why World Spay Day was declared. It takes place on the last Tuesday of every February, bringing attention to the issue and encouraging people to take action.

To help prevent unwanted litters, reduce homelessness and suffering, and ease the incredible strain on our animal shelter, trap-neuter-return and rescue groups, and the general public, we need to take action right here at home in Cape Breton.

Make the decision now to book an appointment and have your pets spayed or neutered. If you have a qualifying low income, you may be eligible for a reduced rate on spay/neuter services through the SPCA Veterinary Hospital in Sydney. If you think you can't afford it, weigh how much more it will cost in the long run to feed a litter of kittens, and instead consider why you can, and should, fix your pet.

If need be, start saving, set up a layaway plan with your veterinarian and get that appointment booked.

If your pets are already fixed, consider making a financial contribution to an animal shelter, a rescue group or a trap-neuter-return organization and help even more animals to be spayed or neutered.

Cat overpopulation is not just someone else's problem. Along with homelessness and nuisance behaviours, overpopulation has become a community issue. So now that breeding season is on, consider what you can do to help both the cats and your community.

CAT FACTS

Signs your female cat is in heat:

• She is more affectionate than usual.

• She rolls around and rubs her face against you and the furniture more than usual.

• She becomes very vocal, meowing and yowling loudly day and night.

• She carries her tail to one side and often assumes a position on the ground with her front quarters down and her bottom up, possibly treading with her hind legs.

• If she is a cat who is usually kept indoors, she will be desperate to get outside.