by Nan Demers

Created on: April 15, 2008

According to statistics of the Humane Society of the United States (www.hsus.org)there are an estimated 60 million feral cats in the U.S., although the numbers could be even higher. Thirty six percent of all U.S. households own one cat, and fifty six percent own more than one. However, only about eighteen percent are adopted from shelters.

I found out how out of control the cat population was while I was living in Houston. Cats were routinely abandoned in our area and left to fend for themselves. Feral colonies formed quickly.

Texas has a high euthanasia rate, and in a list of the top 20 cities for euthanizing unwanted animals, Houston is number three. Approximately 500,000 adoptable animals enter shelters in Texas every year; 126,000 enter Houston shelters alone. Out of that number,71% are euthanized.

The cat overpopulation has reached crisis proportions in this country. Feral cat colonies spring up anywhere there's a food source, and unmanaged colonies can grow from a female cat and her offspring to a colony of over one hundred in just one year. Another statistic from HSUS states that a female cat, her mate and offspring can result in over 400,000 cats in seven years.

In addition to the overpopulation problem, there's the aspect of the cat's health. A spayed cat has less risk of developing cetain types of cancer that an unspayed one does. The tendency to wander decreases in a spayed or neutered cat, and the annoying behaviour of a female in heat or male searching out a mate (as well as the fighting) is eliminated.

Another aspect to consider is the additional cost for communities when their shelters are filled to capacity, and whether they like it or not, they have to euthanize pets to make room for more. It's less expensive for communities to spay or neuter pets than to turn them in to a shelter. One source stated that some pet owners don't utilize spay or neuter because it's not affordable. To house then destroy an animal is approximately $176.00 as opposed to spaying or neutering which cost $40.00 to $80.00. It's much more humane, and over time will help to decrease the numbers of homeless cats. To prolong the life of your cat and to keep from bringing any more unwanted kittens into the world, please spay or neuter.

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