Tierhilfe Wolfsburg asks: Castration saves our cats!

Tierhilfe Wolfsburg asks: Castration saves our cats!

Tierhilfe Wolfsburg recently rescued three neglected kittens from a recycling center. These little furry friends lived in catastrophic conditions, were sick, emaciated and shivering from the cold. But the fate of cats could be improved through one important measure: castration. Animal aid urgently appeals to all cat owners in the region to “neuter your cats.” Uncontrolled breeding of cats is a real problem - hundreds of them regularly end up in animal shelters in the spring and summer months. The reality is harsh: Many of the cats die because no one takes care of them, as t-online.de reports.

Unneutered cats are a major source of insecurity. In just a few years they can produce hundreds of offspring, which only exacerbates the situation. The rescued kittens are now in a foster home where they receive veterinary treatment and receive food and warmth. However, they remain weak and need the support of people who are committed to responsible cat ownership. Neutering could save the fate of these and many other cats from a dramatic end.

Castration: A necessary measure

In Wolfsburg, castration is already mandatory for outdoor cats from the age of five months. In addition, people who regularly feed free-roaming cats are also cat owners and are therefore required to take responsibility. The German Animal Welfare Association makes it clear that castration is a routine procedure that is carried out under anesthesia. It usually goes without complications. The ovaries are removed from female cats and the testicles from male cats. Castration is recommended between the ages of four and six months. The costs are between 150 and 250 euros, although in certain cases it can even cost up to 300 euros, as tierschutzbund.de summarizes.

The advantages of castration are complex: it makes the animals infertile and helps to significantly reduce many of the known problems, such as quarrels between conspecifics and the associated risk of injuries and disease transmission. In addition, the risk of traffic accidents is reduced because the cats are not roaming around looking for a sexual partner. In addition, female animals no longer have to suffer from unpleasant constant rolling.

A look at the numbers

A quick look at the “big cat protection report” from the German Animal Welfare Association shows the dimensions of the problem. The report is based on data from 566 animal welfare associations that have contact with street cats. This comprehensive report documents the current situation and the challenges facing animal welfare organizations. In 2024, 544 animal protection associations were surveyed, and the current data shows that the situation can be brought more clearly under control, particularly in areas with mandatory castration, as shown by around 216 animal protection associations. The survey also showed that 520 animal welfare associations take in cats and permanently look after 123 feeding places for street cats, as jetzt-katzen-helfer.de documents.

It is everyone’s responsibility to give these animals a better future. Neutering is a simple but effective measure that not only improves the lives of cats, but also has a direct impact on the population and the rehabilitation of living conditions. So, let's not only help the little kittens, but also take responsibility for all cats - it's up to us!