A NINE-year-old moggy who cannot be homed from Cramar Cat Sanctuary because she has terminal cancer has become the rescue centre’s reception cat.
Owner Carole Lowe said Mitten contracted the condition because she was not neutered as a kitten and urged other owners to get their cats spayed.
“Although a house cat and not at risk of becoming pregnant, she will have spent her short life going into season at least three times a year, always distressing for a cat.
“This should not have happened to her, or many other cats, when owners do not have their female cat spayed.”
She said the £50 cost is a small price for people to pay for the wellbeing of their pets.
“This is the equivalent to a pub meal or four packets of cigarettes.
“For Mittens it probably would have equated to £4 for each year of her life, the cost of a box of chocolates or a bunch of flowers.”
Unneutered females can develop both mammary cancer, which is what Mittens has, ovarian cancer, or both.
The two are incurable in female cats and without neutering they are also at risk of Pyometra – another fatal infection.
Carole added it was also important for male cat owners to have their kittens neutered as they were the cause.
“Male cats, or Toms as we often call them, will spend their lives wandering around their territory, getting themselves into fights, resulting not only in injuries but increasing the risk of catching FIV.
“Later in life they can also develop testicular cancer.”
Those struggling financially can get help with the cost of the treatment.
