Hi everyone, I’m looking for some help. I’ve tried to contact the RSPCA in my area but haven’t had any luck yet.
My neighbours (who are also my landlords) have a female cat that hasn’t been spayed. Naturally, she keeps having kittens. I assumed they were finding homes for them, but it turns out they aren’t. They told me this morning that most of the time they kill them at birth.
When I suggested getting her spayed, they just gave me a dismissive shrug.
You have to understand they’re quite elderly and former farmers—very 'old school'. To them, cats stay outdoors, hunt mice, and never go to the vet.
It breaks my heart knowing what’s in store for all these kittens.
What can I do? Can the RSPCA or a local rescue come out to the house? Is there any way to force them to have her spayed? Thanks in advance for your replies.
Translated from French
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Hi, I took some kittens that were only a few days old to the vet, and they told me they were going to hand them over to a rescue. They put them down instead. I’m in total shock; I should have kept them. Please be careful—whatever you do, don’t leave your cats with the vet.
Hi, I took some kittens that were only a few days old to the vet, and they told me they were going to hand them over to a rescue. They’ve put them down. I’m absolutely shocked; I should’ve just kept them. Please be careful—whatever you do, don’t leave cats with the vet.
Thanks for your replies. I think I'll try to convince them for now. And if that doesn't work, I'll look into the more radical option of taking matters into my own hands.
Hi there,
You could try suggesting giving her the pill; I did that with a neighbour (another one!) where I live now. I know it's not recommended and it's a bit of a faff—when you start, you have to be sure the cat isn't already pregnant, then you can't miss any doses and you have to make sure she actually takes the pill...
But having litter after litter isn't exactly good for her either.
It would at least buy you some time to convince them.
Thanks for your replies. I think I’ll try and convince them for now. If that doesn’t work, I’ll look into the more radical option of taking matters into my own hands.
Hi everyone,
I’m with Michèle on this one, rather than Trifouillette.
For one thing, it's not really the right time to go on rescue missions for day-old kittens when the RSPCA and local shelters aren't exactly short of older kittens and cats waiting for a home.
For another, you’re not going to take your neighbours to court—from the sounds of it, they won’t even understand what you’re on about... they probably think you’re crackers. 😯
Living in the countryside myself, I know the score, especially as I’m originally from the city. The farm cat turning up with a few two-month-old kittens in tow—I’ve seen it all before and I’ve rehomed quite a few of them.
But putting them down at birth is the lesser of two evils; it’s their way of population control. It’s better than bashing them over the head, wringing their necks, or throwing them on the fire when they’re much older (believe me, it happens).
Personally, I’ve done it twice using my own painless method and putting the effort in (the cat was spayed afterwards).
Also, the cost is quite high for "country folk" who’ve always just kept "outdoor cats for the mice" and prefer to spend their money elsewhere.
In 50 years, these attitudes will have changed—assuming the pandemic doesn’t cause the whole global economy to collapse first.
Liza
PS: A few years ago, my neighbour’s tom cat used to love peeing on my door. One day, I popped him in a carrier and took him straight to the vet; they never found out. 😁 Afterwards, he turned into a real beauty (a ginger and white one).
Hi there,
No, there’s no risk of this coming back on you if the cat isn't microchipped or tattooed. No risk at all.
Thank you for everything you're doing for this poor girl; it’s so traumatic for her to lose her kittens like that, not to mention the potential mammary issues. Unspayed cats often develop mammary cancer, which is incredibly painful and fatal.
Too late, unfortunately... They were already dead by the time the old lady told me about it this morning.
At the moment, you can only contact the RSPCA through their website, which isn't very handy.
But I can try to do something for the next lot. I'm sure if I have a bit of a chat with them, they'll change their minds about getting her spayed (yes, I’m a bit of an optimist).
Otherwise, if I go ahead and get her spayed without their permission, is there a risk it might backfire on me?
Since this cat clearly hasn't been microchipped, you could always have it neutered at your own expense if you can afford to, or get some help from a local animal rescue.
