Cat Reproduction Consequences and Overpopulation

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The Harsh Realities of the "Miracle of Birth"

© Written by sassawj

Many parents like to allow their children experience the “miracle of birth” first hand by allowing their dog, cat, rabbit or other pet to mate and give birth to a litter. While for some it can be an amazing and unforgettable experience, for the pets already alive in shelters awaiting a new home, to them it isn’t so much. If you visit your local animal shelter, you will see the countless cats and kittens awaiting for the second chance that they may never even get.

An estimated 5 to 7 million companion animals, from dogs to puppies and cats to kittens and even small pets such as rabbits and rodents enter animal shelters nationwide each year, and approximately 3 to 4 million of those pets are needlessly killed to make space for more unwanted, homeless animals.



A male cat can sexually mature as early as four months of age, and a female cat can sexually mature as early as five months of age, but on average they mature around seven to nine months, and thus the mating process begins, but the age of sexual maturity will vary from cat to cat. What female cats go through is called the estrous cycle, the estrous cycle typically lasts seven days but can last as long as two to three weeks, and during that period a cat, also referred to as a queen, can encounter multiple males and become impregnated by more than one male at a time, resulting in producing a litter with kittens fathered by separate males. Gestation periods, which is the pregnancy, last approximately sixty-three days but can be as short as fifty days or as long as seventy days. A queen will begin cycling and becomes receptive to mating again shortly after having a litter, usually occurring by the time the kittens reach eight to ten weeks and can immediately become pregnant once again even while the queen is still nursing her current litter.

Queens can have anywhere from two to four litters per year, and will continue to go through an estrous cycle every two to three weeks for the rest of their fertile lives until they are either bred or spayed. The estrous cycles in queens more often occur during the warmer months starting anywhere in April through September, which is what many refer to as "Kitten Season". "Kitten Season" usually occurs twice a year in regions with warmer climates and once a year in regions with colder climates as the estrous cycles in cats are regulated by weather. Although it is entirely possible for cats to have litters anytime throughout the year, animal shelters see a sudden influx in kittens during those months, which have been recognized by animal shelters and rescue organization as a time of year called "Kitten Season".



Think About It - Be Responsible!

It is important for all pet owners to practice responsible pet ownership by having your cat spayed, or at the very least by preventing your cat from reproducing and contributing to the already massive overabundance of unwanted and homeless cats left behind by their owners, abandoned on the streets and surrendered over to animal shelters all across the nation and even worldwide. For every litter that your cat has, each kitten in that litter will soon begin having litters of its own as early as four months of age and as often as two to four times a year, and those kittens’ kittens will repeat the cycle. Over a ten-year period, each cat and its mate from each litter producing a litter of its own at least twice a year can accumulate up to twelve million cats. Before you neglect to prevent reproduction and before you decide to breed your cat, take into consideration the tens of thousands of healthy and social cats and kittens that are needlessly killed at the hands of shelter workers throughout every week, and the several million more killed annually all across the United States.

Controlling Cat Populations

Ways to aid and control feral and stray cat populations can be done through trap-neuter-return. Trap, neuter & return is proven to be the most humane and effective and live-saving method in controlling feral cat populations, and is beneficial for both cats and humans alike in a number of ways. Feral cat colonies involved in TNR are quickly stabilized by instantly ending reproduction and by removing any socialized cats which can be adopted as pets; feral cat colonies managed by TNR will diminish in size over time. TNR programs implemented for feral cat colonies relieves cats of the constant stresses of mating and pregnancy, ceasing the many mating behaviors including roaming, yowling, spraying and fighting. Through trap, neuter & return, the physical health and overall lives of cats are improved, feral cats managed by TNR have the potential of living long, healthy lives.

 

Opponents of TNR

While TNR programs have been proven to be the most effective and humane approach in controling feral cat populations and improving the lives of feral cats, many big name animal rights organizations have long since opposed TNR and instead have pushed for the wholesale killing of all feral cats through inhumane programs referred to as "Catch & Kill", which is not only cruel but this method has been proven to be ineffective.

"Trap-Neuter-Return is the humane and effective approach for stray and feral cats. Now in practice for decades in the US after being proven in Europe, scientific studies show that Trap-Neuter-Return improves the lives of feral cats, improves their relationships with the people who live near them, and decreases the size of colonies over time."
Alley Cat Allies @ alleycat.org

How Can You Help?

It is simple! Just keep your cats from reproducing by having them spayed or neutered. And always consider adopting from your local animal shelter or rescue organization, which you can do by browsing websites such as petfinder.com if you are looking to add a new feline companion to your household & family!



TNR Stamp by CittensCollar Rescue Stamp by DianePhotos Adoption Saves Two Lives by SulfStamps Shelter Cat by paramoreSUCKS
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YumeNox's avatar
Very usefull and complete article ! 
Sadly changing people's mind about that subject is a matter of time and efforts but it is important to keep doing it ^^