For decades, veterinary students have been taught that six months is the minimum safe age to spay or neuter companion animals. Over the past twenty years, some veterinarians have begun to spay earlier, as early as two months/two pounds.
The Five Saves Lives Campaign advocates that the age for spaying/neutering cats be moved back by just four to six weeks. This small change would remove the risk of unwanted litters by ensuring that these “tween” kittens will not have that accidental first “whoops” litter. A study by Andrew Rowan projected that close to 90% of unwanted kittens and pups are born to mothers who would be spayed after the litter was born.
A survey by the National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy showed that nationwide about 70% of cats entering shelters are euthanized. There are areas that are much higher – cats’ chances of finding a permanent home once they enter a shelter are slim. There are far more cats than there are good homes.
To address this problem we can move the age of sterilization back one month, eliminating the possibility of litters during that delicate period between kittenhood and maturity. This simple change in timing could prevent an enormous number of litters. It has been estimated that if even 20% of cat guardians would spay/neuter before maturity, about 1.5 million fewer kittens would be born in the U.S. annually. That is about half the number of cats killed in shelters each year.
Marian’s Dream is working on a three-part campaign: First, to convince veterinarians to spay/alter young cats between 18 and 20 weeks instead of waiting till 24 weeks. Second, to convince the guardians of companion animals, especially cats, to schedule the spay/neuter for no later than 20 weeks. The third part will be a large-scale publicity campaign through pet supply stores to inform the general public of the wisdom of moving the age back. The startup program must be for the veterinarians, since without their support and consent, this adjustment cannot take place.
Marian’s Dream hopes you will join us in helping with funds for promotional materials, the development of Continuing Education DVDs for veterinarians and more.
Donate specifically to the Five Saves Lives campaign.