To: The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)

Cat neutering is essential for protecting feline welfare, preventing unwanted litters and reducing the growing pressure on animal rescues. It helps ensure fewer cats are born into circumstances where safe, loving homes cannot be guaranteed.

However, the cost of spaying and castrating cats remains a significant barrier for many owners. Prices vary considerably between veterinary practices and locations, making it difficult for people to budget, compare services or know whether they are being charged a fair price.

Subsidised neutering schemes and charity vouchers are available in some areas, but support is inconsistent across the UK. Many owners cannot access reduced-cost services or find a veterinary practice working with local charities, leaving them with few affordable options.

Recent veterinary price-transparency reforms are a welcome step forward, but knowing the cost of neutering does not make it affordable. Owners also need clear information about where to find financial assistance, subsidised services and practical support.

Education is equally important. Cat owners need accessible, consistent information about the importance of early neutering, how quickly cats can become pregnant, the benefits of neutering, expected costs and where to seek help. They must also understand the potential health and welfare consequences of leaving cats unneutered.

Unplanned pregnancies can result in difficult births and, in some cases, emergency caesarean sections. Unneutered female cats are also at risk of pyometra, a serious womb infection that can rapidly become life-threatening and requires urgent veterinary treatment. Through our work in rescue, we regularly witness how unexpected pregnancies and birth complications can cause distress and put both mother cats and their kittens at risk.

We are calling on the RCVS and Defra to work with veterinary practices, rescue organisations and cat welfare charities to make affordable neutering easier to find and access throughout the UK.

We ask for:

• Clear, transparent pricing Spaying and castration prices should be clearly displayed wherever these services are offered.
• An improved Find a Vet service The RCVS should identify veterinary practices offering reduced-cost neutering, charity vouchers, rescue support and community-neutering schemes.
• A postcode-based search Owners should be able to find their nearest affordable neutering services and available assistance.
• Accessible information about financial help Clear links should be provided to reputable local assistance schemes and cat welfare charities.
• More partnerships and subsidised services Veterinary practices, charities and local communities should be supported in working together to provide affordable neutering, particularly in areas where help is currently unavailable.
• Consistent owner education Clear guidance should explain early neutering, how quickly cats can become pregnant, the benefits and costs of neutering, the risks of remaining unneutered and where owners can get help.
• Public awareness campaigns Campaigns should highlight the importance of neutering and help owners access affordable services before unwanted pregnancies occur.
Many people want to do the right thing for their cats but are prevented from doing so by financial pressures, a lack of information or where they live. No cat should be put at greater risk simply because its owner cannot afford neutering or does not know where to find help.

Making affordable neutering accessible, alongside clear education and practical support, would prevent unwanted litters, ease the pressure on rescue organisations and improve the health and welfare of cats across the UK.

Please support this petition and help protect cats by making neutering affordable, improving access to financial assistance and ensuring every owner has the information they need to make responsible decisions for their cat.

Make Affordable Cat Neutering Accessible Across the UK  •