WHY NEUTER?
There are 21,000 reasons why you should get your cat neutered - because that's potentially how many offspring could result from one un-neutered female cat and her descendants in just seven years!

There is a cat over-population crisis in the UK today, which results in 1,000's of healthy but unwanted cats and kittens being destroyed EVERY DAY because there are not enough homes to go round. This sad fact is true also for dogs, and neutering is the only humane answer.

Neutering your cats, male or female, is the best and most humane way of reducing the stray cat population, helping lower the instances of F.I.V. and fight-injuries, and preventing healthy cats from being destroyed.

£ £ £... Help! It's too expensive! - Need Help with Neutering Costs..? »» Low Cost Neutereing

FEMALE CATS - 'Shouldn't we let her have one litter?'
It is a complete myth that a female cat should be allowed to have one litter. There is no biological or psychological benefit to the cat whatsoever. If you allow your female cat to have a litter, and manage to find homes for the kittens, they have then used up homes that kittens sitting in a rescue centre could have had, which may then end up being destroyed.

Many female cats come into season, get chased far from their home by un-neutered males and end up completely lost, pregnant, and living on the streets. This is how feral cat colonies are formed. They struggle to survive, often hungry, and frequently becoming sick or injured.

Many stray, un-neutered males carry the FIV virus, and female cats are often infected if they are bitten during mating. Males often infect each other with FIV or feline leukaemia when fighting over a female.

A female cat should be neutered (spayed) at 5 - 6 months but can be neutered at any age. Neutering can be done earlier, provided the kitten is in good health, but you will need to be guided by your vet. To prevent unwanted litters, your kitten should be kept indoors until it is neutered. Even if your cat is to be kept as an 'indoor cat', it is kinder to neuter her, as she will still come into season, which is very frustrating for her and for you. Un-neuterd females are also more at risk of developing cystic ovaries and the potentially fatal pyometra.

HELP! (please spay!) Excellent Cat Music Video from YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMzW3LIkNLA

MALE CATS - if you love them, get them neutered!
When an un-neutered male reaches maturity, he will begin to roam further afield in his quest for females, exposing himself to territory battles with other males, and risking his life on busy roads. Those that roam too far will join the UK's estimated two and a half MILLION strays living on the streets today, and face a very bleak future.

Un-neutered male cats are very aggressive towards other cats, particularly other un-neutered males. Their fights result in horrific bite injuries, abscesses, damaged eyes, and infections such as FIV. With no-one to take them to the vet, many injuries become infected, and often result in death.

Male cats should be neutered at six months, but can be neutered at any age thereafter. If your cat is kept indoors, neutering is still the best option. Neutering will prevent him from become sexually frustrated and continually trying to escape, and will also save you from the smelly problem of urine-spraying. Having the snip will not 'change his personality', that is another common myth without any basis in fact.

£ £ £... Help! It's too expensive! - Need Help with Neutering Costs..?
For many people, neutering their pets is simply too expensive, but DON'T PANIC - help is at hand! If you are receiving benefit, are a pensioner, or are on a low income you can get low-cost, and sometimes even no-cost, neutering as follows:

CATS PROTECTION Neutering Vouchers: CP Vouchers cover roughly half the cost of the average neutering / spaying charge. You can apply directly to any Cats Protection branch or shelter, who keep a supply of vouchers, or phone their national Helpline on 08702 099099. You may be asked to fill in an application form and provide a copy of the cover of your benefit book to obtain the voucher. You will need to take the voucher to the vet when getting your cat neutered, and all you pay is the remaining balance. For details of your nearest Cats Protection branch, go to our Shelters section and choose your area from the map.

RSPCA Neutering Vouchers: Low-cost neutering vouchers are available from most RSPCA branches. Contact your nearest branch, or if you don't have a branch near you, call their national helpline on: 0300 1234 555. For details of your nearest RSPCA branch, go to our Shelters section and choose your area from the map.

INDEPENDENT RESCUES Low Cost Neutering : Many independent rescue groups will help with neutering costs, or have arrangements with local vets for low cost neutering. Don't be afraid to ask, they all have the animal's welfare at heart. Find out contact details for your local rescues by going to our Shelters section, and choosing your area from the map.

BEDFORDSHIRE: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE: Milton Keynes & District Cats Protection - Tel: 01296 738558 or visit: www.mkcats.org.uk

CAMBRIDGESHIRE: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net

CHESHIRE (Cheadle): Greenbank Veterinary Clinic, 16 Northenden Road, Gatley Cheadle Cheshire SK8 4DN ~ Tel 0161 428 5655. Prices are castrate £17.50, Spay £25 This includes all drugs including routine use of pain relief. Flu/enteritis booster £15 (course £22), Flu/ent/Felv booster £22 (course £35)

EDINBURGH: Vetwise, 5 Polwarth Gardens, Edinburgh. (Low cost neuter & vaccination severice) Tel: 0131 221 1110

ESSEX: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net

GWYNEDD (West Gwynedd) Subsidised neutering for those on benefits (RSPCA), Tel: 01758 750356

HAMPSHIRE (Portsmouth): The Animal Support Awareness Programme (ASAP) spay/neuter scheme, call for details ~ Tel: 023 9223 1082 / 023 9279 6883

HAMPSHIRE (Southampton): Southampton Cats Protection. Neutering vouchers for those on low income. Tel: 02380 556 955

HAMPSHIRE (Southampton): RSPCA Southampton Clinic: 315 Shirley Rd., Southampton. Subsidised neutering and veterinary treatment for those on benefits. Tel: 023 8078 3000.

HAMPSHIRE, (Ringwood): Friends of the Animals offers help with spaying, neutering and vets fees to those on limited incomes. Tel: 01425 471471

HERTFORDSHIRE: Great Amwell & District Cats Protection offer reduced cost neutering vouchers to those on low income. Tel: 01992 461644

HERTFORDSHIRE: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net

HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND: Ardnamurchan Peninsula Cats Protection (low cost neutering), Tel: 01967 431203

ISLE OF ARRAN: Isle of Arran Cats Protection offer Free Neutering, Tel: 01770 860302

IRELAND (Dublin): The Irish Blue Cross operates a low cost neutering scheme - cat or dog neutering costs around one-third of the normal cost. Tel: 01 416 3030 or Email: info@bluecross.ie

IRELAND: The Irish Blue Cross operates a low cost neutering scheme in communities around Ireland - cat or dog neutering costs around one-third of the normal cost. Tel: 01 416 3030 or Email: info@bluecross.ie

KENT (Canterbury): Lord Whisky Low Income Veterinary Clinics: Wealden Woodland Forest Park, Herne Common (Monday and Friday 3 - 4 pm) and Lord Whisky Centre, Rhodes Minnis (Tuesday and Thursday 2 - 3 pm), Tel: 01303 862622 for details, or visit: www.dunwellinternet.com/lordwhisky

KENT (Whitstable CT5 area): Free Neutering - Herne Bay.  If you live in the CT6 area of Herne Bay, the branch will neuter your cat for free between 1st and 31st July if you are on a limited income. (Canterbury areas to follow in the next few months). Also available: cat microchipping for only £10.00. Canterbury Cats Protection: 01227 360432 after 6pm weekdays or Email: cpl.neutering@virgin.net

KENT (Folkestone & Hythe): Free neutering is available to those on low income or benefits. Call Folkestone & Hythe Cats Protection on Tel: 01303 247540 or 01303 237744

KENT (Maidstone): RSPCA Mid Kent, Maidstone & District ~ low cost neutering and assisted veterinary treatment at a weekly clinic for those on benefits or a low income. 72-74 Wheeler Street, Maidstone, Kent. Tel: 01622 812195. Website: www.midkentrspca.com

KENT (Medway - Chatham): Celia Hammond Animal Trust, Union Street, Chatham, ME4 4PZ. Offers low-cost neutering, vaccinations, microchipping and dental work for low income pet-owners. Known as the Marchig Animal Welfare Trust Animal Clinic. Tel: 01634 202203

LANARKSHIRE: Low cost neutering from the Original Cat Action Trust: www.catactiontrust.co.uk

LANCASHIRE (Manchester): Low cost dog and cat neutering for those receiving state benefits ~ Greater Manchester RSPCA Animal Hospital, 411 Eccles New Road, Manchester, M5 5NN ~ Tel: 0161 737 6737

LANCASHIRE (Blackpool and The Fylde Area): Furrytails Feline Welfare, (for those on low incomes or means tested benefit). Tel: 07905 074353

LANCASHIRE (Manchester): Greenbank Veterinary Clinic, 16 Northenden Road, Gatley Cheadle Cheshire SK8 4DN ~ Tel 0161 428 5655. Prices are castrate £17.50, Spay £25 This includes all drugs including routine use of pain relief. Flu/enteritis booster £15 (course £22), Flu/ent/Felv booster £22 (course £35)

LANCASHIRE (Wigan & Atherton Metro): Wigan & Atherton Metro Cats Protection operate a mobile Neutering Unit every Tuesday. This service is free to people on low incomes, on benefits and pensioners, but no cat is ever turned away. Tel: 01942 879136 or Email: mpdlisa@hotmail.co.uk

LANCASHIRE: Prevent Unwanted Pets (PUP) helping people on a low income towards the cost of having their dogs and cats spayed or neutered. Tel: 0115 963 8238 or Email: pup@preventunwantedpets.org Web: www.preventunwantedpets.org, Reg. Charity: 702569

LANCASHIRE: Bury, Oldham & District RSPCA ~ £10 neutering and micro chipping at the centre most Thursdays. Please tel: 0161 624 4725 to book dogs and cats in.

LEICESTERSHIRE: FREE neutering from Leicester & District CP, Tel: 01162 881318

LINCOLNSHIRE (Grimsby): FREE neutering for all on low income ~ Grimsby Cats Protection: 01652 651022

LINCOLNSHIRE: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net

LONDON (Hillingdon, MIddlesex) ~ RSPCA Hillingdon Clinic: Reduced cost neutering and veterinary treatment to those on low incomes: 123 Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 0LQ, Tel: 01895 231435

LONDON (Lewisham and Canning Town): Celia Hammond Animal Trust: The Trust run two low cost neuter clinics for cats and dogs in the London area, just give them a call as follows, or for more information, send an email: chat@ukonline.co.uk
Clinic: 233-235 Lewisham Way, Lewisham, London, SE4 1UY ~ Tel: 0208 691 2100
Clinic: 151-153 Barking Road, Canning Town, London, E16 4HQ ~ Tel: 0207 474 8811

LONDON (Camden): The London Beaumont Neutering Clinic: The clinic, in Camden, London is run jointly by Cats Protection and the National Canine Defence League, offering low cost netuering for dogs and cats. Tel: 020 7387 8134

LONDON (Greenwich): Greenwich North CP offers low-cost neuter vouchers ~ Tel: 01223 561779

LONDON (Hammersmith): Blue Cross Animal Hospital, Argyle Place, King St. Tel: 020 8748 5150

LONDON (Holloway): RSPCA Sir Harold Harmsworth Memorial Hospital, 22 Sonderburg Road, Holloway, London N7 7QD ~ Low cost neutering for those receiving state benefits ~ Tel: 020 7272 6214

LONDON (Kensal Green): Neutering and vaccinations, Mayhew Animal Home ~ Tel: 020 8969 0178

LONDON (Putney): RSPCA Putney Hospital, 6 Clarendon Drive, London SW15 1AA ~ Low cost neutering for those receiving state benefits ~ Tel: 020 8789 8252

LONDON - FREE neutering for those on benefits or a pension, or who are caring for a stray or feral cat, or who simply can't afford private veterinary fees. The Cat Care and Control Consortium, (C4) North Thames, Tel: 0208 954 2265, or: Download the PDF application form.

LONDON: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net

LONDON (North): Spay & Neuter and North London Animal Rescue - Tel: 07852166883

MIDLANDS (Birmingham): Barnes Hill RSPCA Hospital: Neuters cats and dogs at reduced cost for people in the Birmingham area who are claiming state benefits. Cats Protection vouchers are accepted. Address: RSPCA Hospital, Barnes Hill, Weoley Castle, Birmingham. Tel: 0121 426 6777

MIDLANDS (Birmingham): The Pet Vaccination Clinic: Low cost neutering for cats and dogs, 179 Lea Hall Road, Stelmford, Birmingham, B33 8JX. Tel: 0121 783 5085

MIDLANDS (Birmingham): Low cost cat neutering plus vaccination clinic, available to all pet owners, whether on state benefits or not ~ New Cramar Cat Sanctuary, Redditch Road, Hopwood, Birmingham ~ Tel: 0121 447 8171

MIDLANDS (North Birmingham): North Birmingham Cats Protection - neutering asistance - Tel: 0121 377 6302

MIDLANDS (Coventry): The Pet Vaccination Clinic: Low cost neutering for cats and dogs, 102 Moseley Avenue, Coventry, West Midlands, CV6 1HQ. Tel: 02476 594242

MIDLANDS (Nuneaton): Low cost dog and cat neutering, and pet vaccinations available to all pet owners, whether on state benefits or not ~ 44 Church Road, Nuneaton, West Midlands, CV10 8LD ~ Tel: 02476 386855

MIDLANDS (Wallsall): Walsall Borough Cats Protection offers FREE neutering to cat owners in receipt of State Benefits living in Walsall. Tel: 01922 682005 (after 6pm please)

NORFOLK: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE: Spaywatch, Low cost animal neutering charity - Tel: 01733 370198 or Email: spay.watch@virgin.net

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE: Prevent Unwanted Pets (PUP) helping people on a low income towards the cost of having their dogs and cats spayed or neutered. Tel: 0115 963 8238 or Email: pup@preventunwantedpets.org Web: www.preventunwantedpets.org, Reg. Charity: 702569

SCOTLAND (Edinburgh): Vetwise, 5 Polwarth Gardens, Edinburgh. (Low cost neuter & vaccination severice) Tel: 0131 221 1110

SHROPSHIRE: Shropshire Cat Rescue - Low cost neutering vouchers - Tel: 01694 723023

SUSSEX (Worthing, West Sussex): Worthing Animal Clinic, 30/32 Newland Road, Tel: 01903 202248, or email: worthinganimal@tiscali.co.uk Website: www.worthinganimal.co.uk

SUSSEX (Brighton, East Sussex): City Cat Shelter: Neutering Assistance for those on limited incomes ~ Tel: 01273 606843, Website: www.citycatshelter.com

SURREY (Epsom): Epsom, Ewell & District Cats Protection. Neutering vouchers for those on low income. Telephone 0208 397 7773 or visit www.epsomcatsprotection.org.uk

SURREY (Sutton & District): Low Cost Neutering from Sutton RSPCA: www.rspcasutton.org

YORKSHIRE (Dewsbury, West Yorks): Richmond House Veterinary Centre offers permanently low rates for all dog and cat neutering, regardless of whether you are on benefits or not. Address: 4751 Savile Road, Dewsbury, West Yorks, WF12 9PW. Tel: 01924 462428

YORKSHIRE (Bradford area): Cat Watch/Rescue ~ Tel: 01274 487546 or 01274 682326

YORKSHIRE (Bradford / Shipley): 'Petvax' - a low cost Veterinary Neutering and Vaccinating Clinic, Tel: 01274 597070, or visit their website: www.petvax.co.uk