Dear Editor,

We receive may calls about unwanted cats and kittens. We can only house 50 and care for them. We are really short staffed and need more volunteers. Many people ask what they can do. There are things that can be done. Visit the shelter and volunteer; we need help in many areas. Many people need to step up and get their cat spayed and neutered. Here are some facts about spaying and neutering:

What is spaying? A spay (ovariohysterectomy) is the surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries from the abdomen of an animal.

What is the purpose of spaying? The spay is the only foolproof method of birth control for female cats, and it is a permanent method.

Will spaying eliminate heat cycles? Spayed animal no longer goes through heat cycles. Female cats normally come into heat several times a year. Spaying ends several problems associated with the heat cycle, including spraying urine and the necessity of confining females to prevent the approaches of persistent males. Spaying also prevents such irritations as a howling cat in heat.The risk of mammary cancer is reduced if a cat is spayed before its first heat. Also spayed pets cannot develop pyometra, a serious uterine infection. Finally, difficult pregnancy and delivery in older cats or ill cats is prevented.

Should cats have at least one litter before being spayed? No. Your cat does not need to have a litter of kittens to mature.

What is neutering? Neutering (castration) is the surgical removal of the testicles from the scrotum of an animal.

What is the purpose of neutering? Neutering is the primary method of sterilizing male cats. Neutering an immature cat usually prevents development of mating behavior and the obnoxious habit of spraying urine to mark territory around the house and yard. An unneutered cat cannot control its mating instincts. Given freedom to wander, such an animal may become hurt or lost, and is almost certain to be responsible for unwanted litters.

Humane societies cannot place all unwanted animals; millions must be put to sleep. Countless others are abandoned. For more information on spayed and neuter help, call 740-645-7275.

Penny Litman,

The Perennial Cat,

Rio Grande, Ohio