gone roamin'...
Come the spring, Thomas will be off out looking for pretty girls. Chances are he’ll be crossing a few busy roads on his way – could be messy. May not see him for a few days, weeks or perhaps ever again if he gets distracted and loses his way. And he's just asking for trouble from those folk not averse to a swift kick when Tom starts making a nuisance of himself and spraying up the front door of his latest girlfriend’s place. Mind you, he’ll be doing plenty of that at home too – indoors and out – not great for the three-piece suite.

whoops...
Poor Tom. Having been on the road for weeks, and then lost, he now finds himself in a rescue cattery (a stroke of luck) and he’s wondering how that happened. Well, how was she who “found this dirty, smelly cat hanging around, spraying up my begonias…” to know where his proper home is? Not looking good for our Thomas is it? Bless 'im.

oh but...
Couldn’t happen to your own lovely little Tom though could it? Well yes, actually it could. And besides seeing more of him and giving him a better stab at those nine lives, have him neutered and your Tom will be cleaner, friendlier, and happier.

And this is Queenie.
She's a bit busy just now.
Feeding her fourth litter of kittens.
And she's only two.

little raver...
Not particularly fussy our Queenie – something tells her she has to multiply. And although she’s less likely to fight (“for a man? – oh please…”) the amount of Toms Queenie will get through in a year puts her at equal risk of catching one of those same fatal diseases.

20,000 descendants...
HOW MANY? Yep. Left unneutered, Queenie could have up to 20,000 descendants... on her conscience in just five years. Bear in mind that the kittens have to be fed for several weeks before they can be homed and Queenie will be on extra rations too. It's actually more expensive to feed a mum-cat and litter once, that it is to have her spayed.

but surely, just one litter...?
The myth says that Queenie should have at least one litter of kittens.
Not true. If she never gets to experience kitten-birth little Queenie will be
a) none the wiser and b) saved from the complications that may come with it. She could get pregnant at just five months old when she’s only a baby herself. She’ll probably have 2–4 litters a year and quite apart from the wear and tear ravaged on her little bod, it looks like Queenie will need those nine lives too. Given that cats don't recognise their kittens until the first squeal, which sets in place the memory, it would actually seem kinder to have her spayed before the first pregnancy.

o romeo...
Quite partial to a little sing-song at 4am is our Queenie, after all she’s got to let Tom know she’s out on the town hasn’t she? Shame the neighbours don’t share her enthusiasm.

do her a favour...
If you love your little Queenie you can save her from all this strife by having her neutered as soon as you can. She too will be happier - female cats in season can actually get quite stressed by all the calling and anxiety of perpetually seeking a mate. Bet she'd much prefer to spend the evening by the fire with her family.

So if you love them, be a responsible owner and book your cats in for neutering TODAY.