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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, March 11, 2007

Sterilizing cats reduces crowding, extends life

Hawaiian Humane Society

Cats that spend time outdoors must be sterilized by law. One cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens in seven years.

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Nacho

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Chico

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NEUTER NOW

Started in 1986, Neuter Now, a cooperative effort of the City and County of Honolulu, 20 veterinarian clinics and the Hawaiian Humane Society, allows household cats and dogs to be sterilized at reduced cost. The program has sterilized 62,374 cats since 1993.

A Neuter Now certificate pays for the preliminary exam and surgery, which would otherwise cost $200 or more. The city pays for the surgeries, the vets perform them at reduced fees, and the society administers Neuter Now free.

Certificates cost $40 for a male cat, $50 for a female cat or male dog and $75 for a female dog. Sterilization certificates for cats can be purchased at the Hawaiian Humane Society, satellite city halls or by mail. If you are an EBT cardholder, the certificates cost $20. If you are younger than 18, a parent or guardian must sign the sterilization certificate.

To have an application mailed to you, call 356-2227; or print the form from www.hawaiianhumane.org (select Spay & Neuter Services).

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Tiger is the neighborhood cat. He's at your front door at every opportunity and has no identification. So you'd like to keep him, or at least feed him and give him a place to sleep at night.

You can find cats like Tiger just about anywhere: peeking out from under a trash bin, or taking up residence under your back porch.

In an independent study, Ward Research found that 17 percent of respondents, or 46,000 people, are feeding cats that they do not consider their own.

One cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens in seven years. Many people feed neighborhood cats or take them to a veterinarian, but they do not realize this contributes to the overpopulation problem. The next step is to take responsibility and get the cats sterilized.

Sterilization is a simple procedure that extends the life of felines and reduces overpopulation. In addition to decreasing the homeless cat population, sterilization has many positive effects.

Neutered males will not develop prostate disease, are less aggressive and less likely to roam, which means fewer fights and traffic dangers. The likelihood of spraying and fighting declines, making them better companions.

Spaying eliminates a female's risk of developing life-threatening mammary cancer and uterine infections.

For cats that spend time outdoors, it's also the law. Since 1995, a city ordinance requires all at-large cats six months and older to be sterilized. On O'ahu, identification is required for all cats older than six months, whether kept indoors or allowed outside.

TOP REASONS TO STERILIZE:

  • Feral cats can become targets of abuse and are viewed as a nuisance.
  • Kittens suffer with no healthcare and struggle for food and water.
  • Most cats received at the Hawaiian Humane Society are feral cats.
    The Humane Society offers a year-round Feral Cat Sterilization Program for O'ahu's homeless felines. This free program is for caregivers who manage colonies of stray or feral cats. In 2006, 2,815 cats were sterilized. Household cats do not qualify for this program.
    To find out more, go to www.hawaiianhumane.org (click on Other Programs & Services, Feral Cat Sterilization).

    ANIMAL COMPANIONS

    NACHO

    Tag No. 07-3614 Formerly owned by a military family, Nacho ended up at the shelter on Feb. 25. This orange and white delight is very affectionate and likes to be held and cuddled. Nacho is a bouncy, playful 3 1/2-pound bundle of joy!

    CHICO

    Tag No. 07-3330 This lovable pooch was surrendered by his owners on Feb. 21. Tough luck for Chico, but maybe there's something better out there for this handsome, 50-pound brindle boy. Can you offer Chico a second chance at love?

    These animals already may have found homes. The Hawaiian Humane Society and McInerny Dog Park at 2700 Wai'alae Ave. are open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For directions, special events and to see more pets available for adoption, visit www.hawaiianhumane.org or call 946-2187. Call immediately to report lost or found animals, ext. 4.