Sterilisation

A Sterilised Cat with a Clipped Ear

	SOS Animals helps to control the stray cat population using the spay/neuter release method.This involves trapping the cats in a humane trap (where the animal is not hurt), surgically altering them so that they cannot reproduce and returning them to their environment.
	For years, the eradication method of trap and kill has been adopted by the government. This method has been tried out in many countries and failed due to several factors. Cats are not that easily trapped, and the weaker cats tend to be caught and the stronger ones who remain continue to reproduce. Cats are territorial and when a cat or cats are removed from a location, new cats often often take over and the population will continue to increase. A pair of cats can generate about 3000 cats in their lifespan of 3-5 years, after considering the deaths - approximately 1/3 of kittens die after 2 months.
	The spay/neuter release method is a more humane method that is slowly being adopted in Singapore. Many countries, have adopted this method and have successfully managed to achieve excellent results - for instance, the staff, faculty and students at Stanford University successfully implemented a privately funded project. They originally had 500 cats and now have a population of 300 cats with zero growth. Read about it here.
	The trap and kill method should also not be accepted due to humane reasons - why should a cat be killed just because it doesn't have a human address. Many cats living on the streets are cared for by stray feeders (there are stray feeders in every neighbourhood) and can happily live in the environment, although they are often victims of road-kill and abuse by man.
	The spay/neuter release method will eliminate the problems of female cats calling and roaming while in heat. It will also reduce spraying by male cats and fighting amongst male cats. These healthy cats who are monitored by the care-givers will also prevent other new cats from entering their territory and help keep rodents away.
	Spaying and Neutering the animals also has health benefits for the animals.

If you wish to support the humane treatment of strays please contact us.