Effects of Warming on Cat and Kitten Populations

At the time when cats outnumber dogs by 13.5 million (and that number is growing) the Randolph County Humane Society had to shut down its part of the facility used to house and adopt cats. There have been huge numbers of cats and kittens affected by feline disease due to lack of immunizations in addition to huge increases in population because they are not spayed and neutered.  This comes at the same time that animal shelters across the United States are reporting skyrocketing influxes of cats and kittens being brought into their agencies. It is now believed global warming is extending cat breeding seasons and causing the cat population to swell.   According to Kathy Warnick, president of Pets Across America — the largest umbrella organization for animal shelters serving more than 130 million people, global warming is thought to be a contributing factor to the dramatic increase of stray, owned, and feral cats.  “Cats are typically warm-weather, spring-time breeders,” reminds Warnick, who also serves as president of the Humane Society of Missouri. “However, states that typically experience primarily longer and colder winters are now seeing shorter, warmer winters, leading to year-round breeding. Basically, there is no longer a reproduction lull with cat breeding cycles and unfortunately, it seems more people are bringing boxes of kittens into our agencies during winter now.”  Across the nation, shelters are reporting spikes in their cat and kitten intakes with shelters experiencing an increase of more than 30 percent from 2005 to 2006. And whether you believe in global warming or not, the numbers don’t lie about how warmer climates really do affect the number of cats breeding more frequently. “We have long discussed the benefits of spaying and neutering cats. It is likely that global warming is probably not going to be slowing any time soon, therefore, it benefits everyone when pet owners take action and spay and neuter their pet,” says Bob Rohde, vice-president of Pets Across America and president of the Dumb Friends League in Denver, Colo.  “Some pet owners have expressed concern about the costs of spaying and neutering their pet. In fact, several had indefinitely postponed the process all together,” says Warnick. “Pets Across America encourages responsible pet ownership practices, with the most important being getting your pets spayed or neutered.”

Now that we will be without a local no-kill shelter to house unwanted cats and kittens, we will experience additional risks keeping our beloved pets healthy.  Now, more than ever, take the time to at least spay your females.  It will help control overpopulation in addition to controlling the diseases that are running so rampant throughout our communities.  The life you save could very well be that of your best friend and closest companion, your pet cat.