As the weather warms, breeding season arrives, bringing thousands of new kittens into the world.
91原创 Animal Protection Society (LAPS) is urging the community to take action to protect cat welfare by promoting responsible pet guardianship, including spaying and neutering.
Unlike dogs, cats are not governed by municipal bylaws, meaning that all the work LAPS does to support felines in our community is entirely donor-funded, explained LAPS executive director Sarah Jones.
This time of year, unspayed female cats reproduce at alarming rates, leading to an overwhelming number of homeless and unwanted kittens, she noted.
In fact, one unaltered female cat and their offspring can result in more than 2,000 cats in four years.
Without intervention, this rapid population growth contributes to human-cat and cat-cat conflicts, strains local animal rescue resources, threatens bird populations, spreads disease, and results in poor welfare for unowned community cats, Jones added.
鈥淐ommunity cats 鈥� those without a guardian 鈥� often face harsh conditions, struggling to find food, water, and shelter while also being at risk from traffic, predators, and illness,鈥� Jones said.
鈥淲e provided in-shelter care for 380 cats in 2024 and by partnering with local veterinary clinics, we provided 260 spay and neuter vouchers for families who cannot afford the procedure. Sadly though, these efforts are just a drop in the bucket. We need the entire community to step up and take responsibility.鈥�
LAPS also emphasizes that while some outdoor cats need help, not every cat seen outside is in distress.
Knowing when to intervene is crucial.
Kittens under eight weeks old found alone likely need assistance, but whenever possible, they should remain with their mother until they are at least six to eight weeks old, Jones explained.
If a mother is in the process of moving her litter, one or two may get separated from the rest. It would be ideal to have them with mom but sometimes they are found in very unsafe situations and need to come into care, she shared.
Adult cats with a healthy body condition (good weight, no injuries, clean coat) are often owned and receiving care, even if they roam outdoors.
"These are cats we don鈥檛 want to take from their territory. If a cat repeatedly returns to your property but appears healthy, do not feed it. Instead, monitor its condition. If it begins to look unwell, contact LAPS for guidance," Jones said, noting only 17 per cent of cats that come into LAPS are able to be reunited with their families due to lack of permanent identification and because guardians assume they have been taken by wildlife.
鈥淥ur goal is to use our limited resources effectively to help cats that truly need us,鈥� added Jones.
鈥淲e also want to ensure that well-cared-for pets are not mistakenly removed from their homes by well-meaning individuals.鈥�
Found stray cats admitted to LAPS care can be viewed on the website and LAPS is available to help caring community members assess if a found cat truly need intervention.
"To support LAPS in its lifesaving work, consider donating to fund vital spay and neuter programs, adopting a cat in need, or become a foster family for vulnerable kittens. For more information on how you can help, visit ," concluded Jones.
