I believe spaying and neutering domestic cats in Ireland should be compulsory, except for license professional breeders.

Neutering cats prevents any unwanted kittens. As pet owners, it is our responsibility to minimize the problem of cat over population by neutering our cats. 

Animal shelters take in thousands of kittens across the country each year as a result of unplanned breeding and only a small percentage of these animals are ever re-homed with the others sadly being euthanised. 

Neutering domestic cats will help to reduce the proliferation of overcrowded shelters and fight against abandonment and the killing of unwanted kittens.

Feral cats are usually victims of abandonment, accidental loss and owners’ failure to neuter their pets. This is the reason why there is such a huge feral cat overpopulation in Ireland, due to the uncontrolled breeding due to the lack of spaying/neutering.  

There are an estimated 200,000 feral cats with 300,000 kittens born each year during kitten season in Ireland. This high birthrate is partially attributed to people neglecting to have their cats neutered.  

Neutering domestic cats can help to reduce the number of feral cats colonies that live in gardens, housing estate, farms, workplaces, colleges, schools, etc.  

People will have no reason to complain about the noise or smell, the ever increasing number of cats and will no longer have to watch the disturbing presence of sick, injured and dying animals, helpless young kittens succumbing to disease or death.

The feral cat population in Ireland is a very serious issue: 493 kittens die per day in Ireland, due to starvation, neglect and indifference.   

Feral cats deserve to be taken care of, just as much as those cute domestic cats that we share our homes with.

Feral cats colonies grow up very fast, come into season several times a year, one female cat can have three pregnancies a year and five or six kittens per litter so that can total to 18 cats per year. In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can produce an incredible 370,000 kittens!

Some people come together as volunteers giving all their commitment and spending their free time helping cats in Ireland by spaying and neutering them, but their efforts will always remain insufficient as long as new animals are being added to this sad circle. 

In Belgium neutering and spaying domestic cats is compulsory except for professional breeders. Mandatory spay-and-neuter laws have reported a significant reduction in the number of animals who are taken to their facilities and subsequently euthanised   

Vets recommend neutering cats because it significantly reduces the risk of them ever developing illness, infections or viral diseases. Also any tendency to spray urine commonly done to mark territory by cats should reduce greatly or cease after neutering.  

Neutering makes males far less likely to roam or fight, meaning fewer injuries from traffic accidents, prevents testicular cancer, and reduces the risk of prostate cancer.

Sterilized animals live longer, happier lives. Spaying eliminates the stress and discomfort that females endure during heat periods, eliminates the risk of uterine cancer, and greatly reduces the risk of mammary cancer.

Spayed and neutered animals are less likely to contract deadly, contagious diseases, such as feline AIDS and feline leukaemia, which are spread through bodily fluids. 

Your pet’s personality should be unaffected and there is no reason for your pet to become obese after neutering. It is a myth to believe that your cat should have one litter before getting spayed, medical evidence indicates just the opposite, In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. 

Government shall provide have low-cost or free sterilization to community members that cannot afford the fees, so that there will be no excuse not to spay or neuter.

Please sign this petition! The more people we get to sterilise their cats, the fewer cats will suffer poor conditions and their welfare will improve considerably in Ireland.

Every cat deserves the chance to live safely, to be cared for and to be loved. 

MANY THANKS!!