Humane Society launches free spay/neuter surgeries for cats in April

Dubois County Humane launches “Community Cat” – a month-long campaign to spay and neuter free-roaming cats.

Sponsored by PetSmart Charities®, “Community Cat” provides free spay/neuter surgeries and rabies vaccinations for feral and stray cats.

During the month of April,  DCHS will  offer no-cost spay and neuter surgeries, plus free rabies vaccinations as part of “Community Cat,” PetSmart Charities’ spay/neuter campaign to alter free-roaming cats.   If left unaltered, unowned feral and stray cats produce large quantities of unwanted kittens each spring, flooding local animal shelters.  By taking a proactive approach and getting the cats fixed now, DCHS will help lessen the impact of the coming kitten season.

If left unaltered, unowned feral and stray cats produce large quantities of unwanted kittens each spring, flooding local animal shelters. By taking a proactive approach and getting the cats fixed now, DCHS will help lessen the impact of the coming kitten season.

Spaying and neutering is one of the most effective ways to reduce the homeless pet population and is safe for kittens as young as eight to 10 weeks old, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Spaying a female cat before the first heat cycle can be beneficial, improving the health of the cat by reducing the risk of certain reproductive cancers and infections.

“Female cats can have as many as three litters a year, and kittens can breed as young as four months old,” says Andrea Hedinger with DCHS. “Most people don’t want to see the cats they’re feeding get pregnant over and over again, so our “Community Cat” campaign will serve as a gentle reminder to caretakers of free-roaming cat colonies to catch and sterilize their cats.”

This special free rate is available to all residents of Dubois County. Sign up is required in advance at DCHS to reserve your spot. Hours: Mondays 11:00am-1:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm; Tuesdays 1:00pm-5:00pm ; Wednesdays 4:30pm-6:30pm; Thursdays 11:00am-1:00pm; and Saturdays 11:00am-3:00pm