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Loyal viewers of the game show “Price Is Right” will remember that former host Bob Barker always signed off with a plea to help control the pet population by having pets spayed or neutered. His successor, Drew Carey, has continued this tradition.
When such an appeal falls on deaf ears, there are far-reaching consequences with innocent dogs and cats becoming the victims of their own biology.
Right now the Rockbridge SPCA is filled to capacity with dogs and cats. There are so many animals awaiting permanent homes that the shelter can no longer accept surrendered pets. Those wishing to surrender an animal to the shelter are being put on wait lists.
The kennels at the SPCA are burgeoning with kittens at this time as 45 kittens are up for adoption.
This is what happens when people believe they are doing the right thing by feeding strays, but are not having them spayed or neutered, said Rockbridge SPCA Executive Director Tara Rodi.
“Cats get dumped and people feed them. They think they are helping but they’re not,” she said.
So why are there so many homeless cats? The answer lies in the biological makeup of the female cat. A female cat can go into heat as often as two to three weeks a month, whereas a female dog is at her most fertile time twice a year. Cats can have many cycles during breeding season, which often occurs during warmer months with longer daylight hours.
A cat can also be impregnated by multiple males during one gestation period, meaning a litter of kittens can have different fathers. After giving birth, a cat can get pregnant again after two weeks.
“This is why having pets spayed and neutered is so critical,” said Rodi.
The kittens available at the Rockbridge SPCA are anywhere from age 6 weeks to 6 months. There are a myriad of different kinds from tuxedos to orange tabbies to slate gray kitties.
Rodi hopes that now schools are back in session, people will be looking for pets for their children. The adoption fee for all shelter dogs and cats is $25 for a limited time.
Older cats at the SPCA need homes, too. Recently the Ferals for Farmers program was initiated. This happened when 20 feral cats arrived at the shelter.
The cats were all spayed or neutered, given rabies vaccines and ear tipped. Ear tipping is performed while the cat is under anesthesia during surgical sterilization. The tip of one of the cat’s ears is removed. When the cat is in the wild, the tipped ear signals that the cat can no longer produce offspring.
Karen Beard, SPCA manager and rescue coordinator, is grateful to Nancy Sullivan of Cats Unlimited for her assistance is making the Ferals for Farmers program a success.
“Nancy has done barn visits for me and sent over potential barn cat adopters,” she said. Cats Unlimited has also helped spay and neuter some of the cats that have already gone to new barn homes.
Currently there are four feral cats at the SPCA who are still needing homes. Potential barn cat adoptees need not be farmers.
“It’s a very simple contract,” Beard explained. “You have to have a barn or similar outbuilding. You have to feed and provide water for the cat.”
Everyone knows that cats are natural mousers and help keep the rodent population down the natural way.
Those interested in obtaining a feral cat for their properties can either come by the SPCA during regular business hours or send an email to manager@rockbridgespca. net.
To see the cats and dogs currently looking for forever homes, visit the SPCA website at https:// rockbridgespca.net. Adoption applications are also available online, The staff of the SPCA strongly urges people to physically visit the animals at the shelter and spend time with them so that they can find the cat or dog who will be just the right fit. The shelter is located at 10 Animal Place across from the recycling center. The phone number is (540) 4635123.
