The BSAVA strongly supports the practice of neutering cats (castration of tom cats and spaying of queens) for the over-riding reason of preventing unwanted kittens - thus removing the problems associated with finding homes or increasing the stray population.

The additional welfare benefits of neutering cats include:

· Reduction of roaming, and thus reduction in numbers of cats injured or killed in road traffic accidents.
· Reduction in fighting, and thus reduction in infected wounds and abscesses and spread of FIV infection.

The BSAVA is a member of the Cat Group and supports the Policy of the Cat Group on early neutering (i.e. at 4 months of age rather than the traditional 6 months of age).  The full Cat Group Policy Statement may be found at: www.thecatgroup.org.uk/

Approval:  BSAVA Council as Policy Statement No. 29 (Neutering of cats) 1999.
Recent update: May 2006