Why aren't people spaying/neutering their cats?

Question

I read so many questions here about people asking what to do about the kittens? Why do they let this happen? People of low income can have their pets spayed for free. Why don't they take advantage of this?

I had all three of my cats spayed for $10 each in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Those who live in Broward county can apply for the low cost spay/neuter program provided by Broward county's Animal Care and Regulation office. My sister who lives in Miami is having her cat neutered for free. She applied and qualified to have it done for free by Miami-Dade's Animal Services.

For those of you who claim there is no place in your county that will spay/neuter your animals for free or at a low cost need to keep looking. There are so many local organizations willing to help. They just don't have the money to advertise themselves so you are the one who has to look for them.

Answer 1

I think some people don't want to pay for it. I live in Australia and I don't know of any place where you can get it done for free or even at a reduced rate. I think it is well worth the money to have it done because in the long run caring for many kittens is going to cost a bit too. My husband didn't let our first cat get desexed because he said it is not his right to prevent her from ever being a mother.

Answer 2

I worked for a low-cost spay/neuter program, and it was still a chore to get people to use it. There are so many factors, some people don't prioritize animal needs especially when there are so many human needs not being met. For example, in many low-income neighborhoods, if you don't know if your children are going to be shot, or shoeless or hungry, chances are your cat or dog not giving birth is not a big deal. But, many of these families do love their animals very much.

Also, there was a survey done by the Humane Society of the United States on overpopulation, and would you believe that "time" was the biggest reason. Not money, but people saying that they just don't take the time to do it. Again, priorities.

And, of course the myths, animals don't get fat/lazy, they don't need a litter to be happy, your kids don't need to experience it to learn about life, it isn't the same as abortion until we keep our kids in cages or euthanize them, and men, your dogs privates are not connected to yours. Others don't know that cats/dogs don't have the same incestuous taboos we do, many litters are brother/sister, mom/son. Folks just don't think that will happen.

And, how often do you hear about spay/neuter, overpopulation with animals? God bless Bob Barker, I don't know when we'll hear it again since he's retiring. It isn't the most glamourous message.

Okay, off of my soapbox now, sorry for the length, but I am very passionate about this issue.

Answer 3

bottom line...ignorance, I mean your right about the low income thing too, I wasn't working when I lived in FL & had both my cats fixed, one spayed & one neutered for only $25, and honestly if you cant afford $25 to prevent unwanted kittedn that will more than likely become strays and possibly dead then you REALLY cant afford to have a cat in the first place.....Im not one to preach about "Oh you need to be able to afford monthly pet insurance , the HIGHEST quality expensive food, ONLY bottled water, etc etc etc...but you REALLY DO need to be able to afford the basics, food, a litter pan, at least a yearly vet check up & spaying and/or neutering, its only fair to the animals....I by far do NOT make tons of cash & have a couple cronic expensive health issues so I dont have cash to throw around but my animals are healthy & happy as I make sure to kep them this way.....after all they did not choose to be brought in to a house of poverty you chose to bring them there

Answer 4

Well I think that if you have a house cat that will never go outside unless traveling its fine not to neutor or spay & if you dont have another cat around. I had several cats that I kept in our Apt and never any of them had babies the only thing about the females is they make loud mating calls. but my cat I gave to my mom shes going to take advatange of it because she dont have the money and the cat is going May 30th to get spayed.

Answer 5

Because they are stupid. I get sick and tired of seeing these poor animals growing up around my neighborhood because the ignorant people dont get them fixed and they have litters then those kittens have litters. its sad. so i do my part and spay and neuter my animals, and they stay inside.But i just think, the people who dont spay and neuter, sometimes are the same people who dont know how to use birth control themselves.

Answer 6

I would love to know where to get it done for free in my area the cheapest planned pet hood org. charges $45 for a neuter. the vets charge near to ove $100
I have an indoor male that i can't afford to get fixed.

Answer 7

where do you live that you can have free spayed because in new jersey/new york not gunna happen.. and the cat has to be a certain age and all it takes is one slipping out of the door for it to get knocked up

Answer 8

some people, like me, believe that spaying before the first litter is like telling a young girl that she's not going to be allowed to have children because you are going to take that option away without giving her a choice in the matter.

Answer 9

because they are lazy just like that cat would end up if actually Neutered! lol