To the editor;
Are ‘humans’ (who are given dominion over all creatures of the earth) responsible, or do they not care a hoot about what happens to their pets?
It takes two to tangle - here is the scenario: along comes Mr. Tom Cat, saying, “Come on Toots, lets boogie down to the garden and be whisker to whisker upon the stone wall gazing at the moon”.
After which Mr. Tom Cat leaps off the wall saying, “Nice to know you Toots, see you around”. Off he goes, leaving his lady puss holding the cat in the bag.
That’s right, Toots is now in a family way. Just 62 to 65 days, then mama cat gives birth to anywhere from three to five kittens. Right after birth mama puss could go into heat, so the cycle of unwanted kittens, that some humans don’t want as pets, continues on a yearly basis. Toots can have as many as three litters a year.
Many of these little ones end up surviving in the wild, or find a home only to be tossed out on their ear on the side of a country road, or land in the care of the SPCA or the Humane Society. (Please take note - a pet that is surrendered to the SPCA may not see another day if not deemed ‘sociable’; they could be put to death at the cost of the owner or the society.)
All creatures deserve a second chance in life. Please consider your decisions. Do the right thing for your pet - spay and neuter them. The low cost at the SPCA spay and neuter clinic is reasonable. Male cat neutering costs $75, spaying a female cat costs $110. To vaccinate your pet, $35, and only $15 for a rabies vaccination. Anyone can save for this one time investment for your pet.
Please be a caring human with compassion for our little furred friends, who need us to help them in life.
The Humane Society and SPCA are overwhelmed with cats and kittens. Also, those compassionate persons who foster these little ones often get them spayed and neutered at their own expense.
Before leaving Ontario 26 years ago, our veterinarian (Dr. Harry Abbey), bless his soul, neutered male cats for $10 and spayed female cats for $20. Nowadays, the cost of spaying or neutering varies from veterinarian to veterinarian. No wonder the spay and neuter clinic is swamped with clients.
Do your research, please. In Hamilton, Ontario, the SPCA offers up for adoption cats and kittens for $24 which includes being spayed or neutered, vaccinations and deworming. However, if they are not adopted death will come.
In Halifax, Nova Scotia, a veterinarian of advanced years still spays and neuters feral cats and kittens for free.
When humans go in for surgery, the equipment is sterilized, but not so for our pets. The equipment comes from Western Europe, is used only once, and then thrown away. Therefore, the cost goes up per animal. Surely all those who are concerned for the welfare of the pet would be as gracious as Dr. Abbey in regards to the cost.
No wonder the owners, the caregivers of our furry children are perplexed with the cost. Every one of us could afford $10 and $20 dollars, but not what some veterinarians charge for the fix.
Today, in the 21st Century, there is no mobile veterinarian who will come to one’s home to care for your pet. Surely, one who loves cats and kittens and other animals could come to see their furry patients in their own home at a reasonable cost. Especially for those on a low income and seniors.
We all have to be on the same page in this game plan of spaying and neutering, for the sake of the little ones who help keep the rodents at bay and are companions for the lonely senior. A furry gift from above to us here below. All over the world these furry children, from Sochi to Barriere, need our help.
Please do the right thing - spay or neuter your furry child. This is a one-time investment, versus what can be a long trail of unwanted kittens.
(PS - the SPCA offers 50 per cent off to seniors needing a cat companion.)
Thank you for caring,
Joscelyn Shaw
Barriere, B.C.