Cats

Overpopulation

Female cats naturally give birth every three months to an average of five or six kittens. Due to overpopulation, many of these kittens develop feline illnesses and suffer greatly before finally succumbing. This problem gets progressively worse over the winter months when food resources are scarcer and both kittens and their mothers suffer from poor nutrition.

Vets and animal welfare organizations agree that neutering is the most important step in both controling animal populations and improving animal welfare. Aside from reducing the population, it has the added benefit of keeping cats healthier (reduced transmission of diseases like FIV), cleaner (less spraying), and less aggressive (fewer fights for territory and mates).

FAQ

If neutering and spaying are constant, will the cat population eventually disappear?
No. A responsible plan of neutering and spaying does not aim to eradicate the cat community, and this is certainly not Hydra Ark’s objective. Hydra is a cat-friendly island, and, of course, new kittens are welcome. Overpopulation inexorably means death for the weakest and the spread of illness. Kittens born into a controlled population have a better chance of surviving into a healthy adulthood. Neutering will also cut down on the number of sick kittens suffering from the flu or blinded by Clamydia.

How dangerous are spaying and neutering operations?
Overall, sterilization is not an especially risky operation, and it is unusual for cats to develop an infection as a result of the procedure. After the operation, however, it is important to keep the animal warm and comfortable. The vet will inject the cat with antibiotics, whose effects usually last three days depending on the type used. This will also protect the cat from catching illnesses like the flu from other cats during the same three-day period.

Will the operation compromise my male cat’s capacity for self-defence?

No. This is an excellent question that provides the opportunity for a serious explanation based on vets’ opinions and scientific evidence. Your male cat will not become weaker or unable to defend himself. After the operation, his level of aggressiveness will decrease, which means that he will not feel the need to go and fight other cats as much as he did before. If attacked though, he will still be perfectly able to defend himself.

Special Issue: White Cats

Because they have no skin pigmentation to protect them from the sun, white cats on Hydra are subject to skin cancer (squamous carcinoma). Due to constant exposure to the sun, their ears and nose become burnt. You can see them around the island with their ears curled up and burnt. When they develop cancer, their ears and nose develop a black crust. As long as only the tip of the ears is burnt and the cancer is not too advanced, these cats can be taken to a vet who will evaluate whether the affected skin can be removed. When the cancer reaches the nose or extends into the ears, there is nothing to do; eventually the animal will die, unfortunately in a very painful way.

Solutions

Ideally white cats should stay out of the sun completely (otherwise someone should put sunscreen on their ears and nose all the time, which is not an easy solution, especially for street cats!). Hydra Ark strongly supports the adoption of white cats (such as beautiful Princess, the three-month-old kitten in the pictures). We also encourage their neutering as a priority among all cats: white cats should not reproduce and give birth to other cats with the same problem. If you live on Hydra and have white cats in your neighbourhood, and if you cannot keep them inside, please bring them to our vets for neutering. If you think they may have developed cancer on their ears, please bring them to the vet for examination.

If you are interested in adopting a cat, please consider contacting HA.
We would be happy to give you one.