Desex your cats, reduce unwanted litters

CHRISTINE CORNEGE, The Marlborough Express

Kitten fever: The SPCA says it is being overrun by kittens but this could be easily avoided if people had their pets desexed.

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The SPCA is pleading with pet owners to desex their animals as kittens keep coming in.

Marlborough SPCA centre manager Carol Schofield said more than 60 kittens had been dropped off during the last month, including 14 in one day last week. About 10 other cats who are at the SPCA still have their kittens with them so there are about 80 kittens in total.

She said cats came into season in spring so there were always lots of kittens around Christmas time, but cats would often have another litter which ended up at the SPCA.

Mrs Schofield said people should never buy animals as gifts unless they knew it was wanted. Often Christmas animals lost their appeal as the cuteness went or puppies grew into unruly dogs.

Mrs Schofield said all the kittens were healthy and needed to go to good homes but she did not want to see them come back again.

Female cats and dogs should be spayed and male pets neutered as this helped in reducing the amount of unwanted animals.

When people adopt an animal they sign a contract saying they will get them desexed. People are asked to pay $50 when they adopt an animal. In return they get a $50 voucher for desexing.