In Norway, there are always homeless animals in need of help.
Cats are predominant, but rabbits, dogs, and other companion animals also experience homelessness.
None of these animals are equipped to survive outdoors year-round. They are exposed to disease, injuries, and starvation, and many freeze to death in winter.
The problem is primarily caused by irresponsible pet owners who do not care for their animals and any offspring they may have. The solution is simple: neutering and ID microchipping.
Neutering
There are many good reasons to neuter cats and rabbits.
Neutering prevents unwanted offspring
It is difficult to find homes for all the offspring born, and neutering therefore prevents abandonment and homelessness. In addition, both female cats and female rabbits are protected against cancer by being neutered.
Neutering will reduce the risk of stress and fighting
Neutering will reduce the risk of stress and fighting, and for cats, it is a very important measure to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
Cats and rabbits become calmer when neutered
Fewer hormonal fluctuations make animals more social, and cats become more home-loving. In addition, it reduces the need for marking in male cats.
ID Microchipping
Animal Protection Norway works to make it legally mandatory to microchip all companion animals. Microchipping will make it easier to reunite lost companion animals with their owners. In addition, individual animal identification will be an important tool for authorities conducting supervision. It will also enable the Norwegian Food Safety Authority to hold animal owners who violate the law accountable.
Animal Protection Norway spays/neuters and microchips all cats and rabbits that the organization rehomes.
How many homeless cats are there really?
What happens to them? Most die from injuries, disease, and starvation, or freeze to death in winter.
50000
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s estimate of homeless cats in Norway
25000
Number of female cats if we assume they constitute approximately 50%
250000
Number of kittens if we assume female cats have 10 kittens per year
World Spay Day
Animal Protection Norway encourages animal health personnel to support World Spay Day. This campaign, launched in 1995, takes place once a year, on the fourth Tuesday of February. The goal is to highlight spaying/neutering and microchipping of cats and rabbits. Homeless animals are a major problem, and it is unacceptable that they should die from hunger, disease, and frostbite.
What is particularly exciting about World Spay Day is that it unites animal health professionals worldwide. Together, we highlight the importance of neutering and ID microchipping – it saves lives!
