CAT OWNERS in Bradford can now benefit from a ‘pay as you can’ neutering scheme to help with vet bills.
The scheme has been set up by Keighley Cat Care – a volunteer-led initiative which is trying to tackle the ‘cat crisis’ across the district, by ensuring cat owners can afford to get their pets neutered.
Chris Rawnsley, a trustee at the charity said: “Neuturing can cost more than £100 in some cases, and because of the rising cost of living people can’t afford to get it done.
“It’s a known fact that cat rescues across the district are over capacity, so people need to get their cats neutered otherwise we’re going to be inundated with unwanted kittens, which is what is happening at the moment.”
The scheme means that cat owners can pay what they can (with a minimum £20 donation) and get their cat neutered at a vet which has partnered with the scheme.
Recently, Sage Vets in Bradford has signed up for the cause.
A spokesperson for Sage said: “There is already a large population of unwanted cats filling the re-homing centres of both local and national cat charities to unprecedented levels. Therefore, any measure that reduces the problem is to be welcomed and we are happy to support Keighley Cat Care in their efforts to get as many cats as possible neutered.”
Chris added: “We’ve just got Sage vets onboard and we’re hoping to get more vets in Bradford onboard as well.
“If people got their cats neutered there wouldn’t be the need for these rescues and cats would be much healthier.
“People just don’t realise how expensive pets and cats can be when they get them.”
The charity raises funds to help pay the vet bills by running a charity shop in Keighley, as well as generous donations from members of the public.
“Since we started the scheme a few years back we have helped out thousands of cat owners, and hopefully that has helped and saved a lot of cats from suffering and stopped a lot of unwanted kittens being bought into the world,” she added.
Aireworth Vets in Keighley have also been a part of the scheme for the past couple of years.
In July, Allerton Cat Rescue told the T&A how the sanctuary had been forced to temporarily close admissions due to the sheer number of pregnant cats and kittens in its care.
To benefit from the scheme, cat owners should get in touch with the vet directly, book under the scheme and donate as much as they can afford.
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