Neutering a cat??

[John White]

We live in the country and as a result our house seems to be the favorite place for people to drop off cats. In our area the local shelters are a "no kill" and they wont take stray cats. I have even found one frozen in a dumpster. (we live close to the recycling area) We have taken in 5 cats, had them all neutered and shots. They are wonderful pets. But a couple of months ago another one showed up and is really a nice cat. He is a male and has a notch cut in his ear, like they do when they neuter one. He does not chase the other two females but he does to have his testicles. One male cat we had neutered, every thing was cut off, another one still has his pouch. I guess they just cut his testicles out and left the bag. Is it possible to neuter one and not take his testicles out. Like a vasectomy?. If we keep him we will have to take him to get his shots, could a vet tell? Last year a small kitten showed up and it looked like some one had poured gasoline on his rear and set it on fire. We took it to the vet but they really didn't want to help much. We kept it for a few days, it was the nicest kitty, it begin to get infected with maggots and were eating it alive, though we were treating it. It I had to kill it, I buried it under a maple tree at my shop and named him "happy" because he bought happiness into our life for the short time he was here.

 

[Parkanzky]

Hi John,

It sounds to me like you need to make some connections at an area cat rescue. Explain your position as a "dumping ground" for unwanted pets and tell them that you'd like to partner with them to help these poor creatures out. They'll have a network of veterinarians that can provide much-discounted (or free) assessments and treatment, and they'll help to get them adopted out into homes where they'll be cared for. Try to find one that is foster-based. We recently fostered a kitten and all that energy was a neat reminder of how fun it is to have one around.

 

[MoKelly]

There is a special place in a not-so-good place in the afterlife for people who dump their pets. That is really low.

You are nice to look out after those animals.

MoKelly

 

[dodge man]

We have had our cats neutered and it seems like they left its sack. A cat vasecotomey? I find that funny for some reason but I think the idea is to get away from the male hormones so they are less aggressive and don't spray all over everything.

I think every body that lives in the country ends up with a dumped pet at some time or other. I'm not a big pet person but I just hate the idea of people dumping them. Our local shelter does keep them a few weeks and then has them put to sleep if they don't get adopted. I did some work at the place once and they brought back garbage bags full of dead cats and dogs and put them in the dumpster. I tell you that just about broke my heart seeing that.

 

[oosik]

We live about ten miles outside a college town. Up until the college prohibited large pets - dogs/cats - we would get dumped on every spring. That cute puppy brought to school during fall quarter became a problem in spring quarter.

 

[riptides]

We are lucky to have a "free" clinic nearby. All cats that end up here, get to go there and also get their shots.

We always make a donation.

As suggested, call the local vets and animal shelters for the clinics, maybe they offer a time, or just offer the services.

 

[jix]

The penalty for dumping a pet should way more serious than a small fine, like time in jail, But that will never happen. What if you had to buy a license and a corresponding implant tag to get a pet to take home? If the pet were ever found abandoned then the former owner could be prosecuted for cruelty.
Cat owners should be required to neuter their cat pets unless they are registered breeders operating a bona fide kennel, the way it is for SPCA sheltered dogs.

People should not have be told to love their pets, nor that having a pet is a commitment for the lifetime of the pet. A pet's life is as important to the pet as your life is to you. If you cannot keep your commitment to your pet, then you ABSOLUTELY must make humane arrangements for the pet. You cannot divorce or cast off a pet without a consequence anymore than you should do that to a child or a spouse. If you cannot accept that, then you should not get a pet. Pets are for loving, and loving is a commitment, people! Got it? :dog:

 

[riptides]

The penalty for dumping a pet should way more serious than a small fine, like time in jail, But that will never happen. What if you had to buy a license and a corresponding implant tag to get a pet to take home? If the pet were ever found abandoned then the former owner could be prosecuted for cruelty.
Cat owners should be required to neuter their cat pets unless they are registered breeders operating a bona fide kennel, the way it is for SPCA sheltered dogs.

People should not have be told to love their pets, nor that having a pet is a commitment for the lifetime of the pet. A pet's life is as important to the pet as your life is to you. If you cannot keep your commitment to your pet, then you ABSOLUTELY must make humane arrangements for the pet. You cannot divorce or cast off a pet without a consequence anymore than you should do that to a child or a spouse. If you cannot accept that, then you should not get a pet. Pets are for loving, and loving is a commitment, people! Got it? :dog:

The reality is otherwise.

And it is unfortunate.

 

[bigtiller]

An old farmer told me years ago that castrating a tom cat was a lot like cutting a pig except you need a cowboy boot. Just stuff the cats 3 sharp ends on the front side, down into the boot and a second guy holds the back legs out leaving room to operate.

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

An old farmer told me years ago that castrating a tom cat was a lot like cutting a pig except you need a cowboy boot. Just stuff the cats 3 sharp ends on the front side, down into the boot and a second guy holds the back legs out leaving room to operate.

Yup, heard the same but using a rubber boot.
I think maybe the size of the tomcat's bag after neutering depends on his age when neutered. My daughter has a small male cat that she had neutered at 7 or 8 months... not much there, but her neighbour has a big tom that she adopted, had neutered when full grown. He's got a pretty good pouch back there. :shocked:

Pete

 

[MossRoad]

We live in the country and as a result our house seems to be the favorite place for people to drop off cats. In our area the local shelters are a "no kill" and they wont take stray cats. I have even found one frozen in a dumpster. (we live close to the recycling area) We have taken in 5 cats, had them all neutered and shots. They are wonderful pets. But a couple of months ago another one showed up and is really a nice cat. He is a male and has a notch cut in his ear, like they do when they neuter one. He does not chase the other two females but he does to have his testicles. One male cat we had neutered, every thing was cut off, another one still has his pouch. I guess they just cut his testicles out and left the bag. Is it possible to neuter one and not take his testicles out. Like a vasectomy?. If we keep him we will have to take him to get his shots, could a vet tell? Last year a small kitten showed up and it looked like some one had poured gasoline on his rear and set it on fire. We took it to the vet but they really didn't want to help much. We kept it for a few days, it was the nicest kitty, it begin to get infected with maggots and were eating it alive, though we were treating it. It I had to kill it, I buried it under a maple tree at my shop and named him "happy" because he bought happiness into our life for the short time he was here.

What use is an animal shelter that won't take strays??? What's their purpose? And what vet wouldn't help a burned kitten? At least they should have put it out of its misery. That kind of stuff torques me off.

Anyhow, good for you for trying at least. That's more than a lot of folks would do. :thumbsup:

As for neutering, I always thought neutering was the same as castration, and that usually means removing the testicles.

 

[Country Geek]

There is a special place in a not-so-good place in the afterlife for people who dump their pets. That is really low.

You are nice to look out after those animals.

MoKelly

If the cat has a cropped ear (the OP said it did), it's not an abandoned pet. It's a TNR'd feral.

 

[FarmWrench]

Not approved here but used around the world is to inject calcium chloride into the nuts. Permanently sterile and at least a 90% reduction in testosterone, for almost no cost. Lack of profit keeps anyone from paying for the approval trials and government hurdles.

 

[KubotaToy]

You will be surprised how bad vets will treat you when you try to do right, I live trap strays all the time at my goat barn (which unfortunately is next to a well traveled road that make s it easy to drop them off) to take them to get "fixed" but I have been counseled by a few vets about the poor condition of "my" cats. When I tell them they are dropped off strays at my barn and I am doing what I think is best for the animal, they seem to disbelieve and want to take pictures for the humane society. I quit going to them after a few times of this. Sad world we live but sometimes I can find homes for the cats and dogs I get but I have keep many. I go thru about 50 lbs of cat food a week. I did find a low cost place that does nothing but spray and neutering that does not ask questions, I help them out with by paying what I would have at the vet.

 

[Country Geek]

Not approved here but used around the world is to inject calcium chloride into the nuts. Permanently sterile and at least a 90% reduction in testosterone, for almost no cost. Lack of profit keeps anyone from paying for the approval trials and government hurdles.

There is at least one foundation that is encouraging people to make their own.

Parsemus Foundation » Calcium Chloride Sterilization HOME PAGE

 

[KiotiKowboy]

What use is an animal shelter that won't take strays??? What's their purpose?

I want to respond to this in a "generic" sense. When I say "YOU", it is directed at anyone/everyone who shares the sentiment expressed in the question.

Do YOU know that most local shelters are funded solely by donations?
Do YOU know that most workers at local shelters are volunteers?
Do YOU know that most shelters are literally overrun and overwhelmed with abused, abandoned and neglected animals?
Do YOU volunteer to help them at fund-raising events?
Do YOU volunteer to help in the shelter?
Do YOU regularly donate a meaningful amount of money?
Do YOU have the local shelter listed as a beneficiary in your estate?
Do YOU just complain that something ought to be done?

 

[TomSeller]

I want to respond to this in a "generic" sense. When I say "YOU", it is directed at anyone/everyone who shares the sentiment expressed in the question.

Do YOU know that most local shelters are funded solely by donations?
Do YOU know that most workers at local shelters are volunteers?
Do YOU know that most shelters are literally overrun and overwhelmed with abused, abandoned and neglected animals?
Do YOU volunteer to help them at fund-raising events?
Do YOU volunteer to help in the shelter?
Do YOU regularly donate a meaningful amount of money?
Do YOU have the local shelter listed as a beneficiary in your estate?
Do YOU just complain that something ought to be done?

Well said.

 

[MossRoad]

I want to respond to this in a "generic" sense. When I say "YOU", it is directed at anyone/everyone who shares the sentiment expressed in the question.

Do YOU know that most local shelters are funded solely by donations?
Do YOU know that most workers at local shelters are volunteers?
Do YOU know that most shelters are literally overrun and overwhelmed with abused, abandoned and neglected animals?
Do YOU volunteer to help them at fund-raising events?
Do YOU volunteer to help in the shelter?
Do YOU regularly donate a meaningful amount of money?
Do YOU have the local shelter listed as a beneficiary in your estate?
Do YOU just complain that something ought to be done?

I understand that's not directed at me, so no problem there.

Again, if they don't take strays, what do they take?

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I understand that's not directed at me, so no problem there.

Again, if they don't take strays, what do they take?

They do take strays, along with abused and neglected animals. They take so many, in fact, that facilities are often loaded beyond belief. Bear in mind, the workers must care for these animals 365 days a year. When animals are sick, workers often spend the night or take the animals home with them.

When people walk in wanting to surrender an animal, they often have some ill-conceived notion that they are the only customer that needs to be served. Shelters often maintain a waiting list and will intake animals as fast as they can cycle them. Sometimes this takes weeks, or longer. Many of those trying to surrender an animal seem irritated the shelter sometimes requests an intake fee.

I'm sorry if I seem to be a little harsh on this issue. My wife and I have worked for the last 7 years with our local pet rescue. It is VERY time consuming and can literally overtake your life. I have NO patience for the monsters who mistreat these animals. I have Very Little patience for those who complain but do absolutely nothing to help. I have watched my wife collapse in tears from the hours of stress in trying to keep the shelter solvent. Our little shelter spends over $5K per month in just vet bills. Add on utilities, food, insurance, facility maintenance and dozens of other expenses and you begin to see this is not a small amount of money. We spent about $250K last year, and we are just hanging on. The city doesn't give a dxmn, as they will just kill whatever they take - unless we get there in time to save them. I just want people to understand the scope of the problem, the cost involved and the dedication of those in the trenches. Complaining is cheap .........

 

[John White]

I am sure that is a problem every where with animal shelters. No money, over worked. Plus in my area they always seem to be bickering with the dog pound. I have tried to get help from them before (locating a vet at reduced price) but no help. When I try and explain that we are seniors and on a very limited income, that doesn't seem to matter. When I tell them that I might have to start shooting the strays that show up, then they say they will call the law on me. I don't take pleasure in killing any cat. All the cats we have taken in are cared for. One cat we have had for 7 years and she rides with me every day in my work truck, like a dog. ( posted a story about her on here before) It gets very cold here at night and my wife was really worried about them. She took Styrofoam boxes (like steaks and shrimp come in) Cut small holes and placed warm bedding in them. One old cat that will not mingle with the other cats, I have a heating pad in her box. I took a old very small chest freezer from the scrap yard, took out the compressor, cut a hole into the box, put shelves with warm bedding and took a 40watt bulb and put it inside a large tin can (like a coffee can) and hung it from the lid inside. It keeps it the inside above freezing when it is below 0 outside. They stay inside there too when it gets real cold. ( went out one night to see that all cats are accounted for before going to bed and give them all a pat on the head,. Raised freezer door to reach in and pat the cat and didn't remember having a cat that color, jumped back, and a sleepy eyed little coon popped his head up.)