8 October 2024

Five stray cats and 13 kittens were flown from Kalgoorlie-Boulder to RSPCA WA last week prompting the charity to urge cat owners in the region to sterilise their cats.

The kittens were between a few days and five-weeks-old at the time of rescue and many of them and their mums were suffering from ringworm. The litters, mums, and pregnant cats are undergoing treatment at the Malaga Animal Care Centre.

With the weather warming up and heading toward summer, “kitten season” is well on its way and the charity is preparing for a busy period.

Inspector Manager Kylie Green said when cat breeding spikes in the warmer months, shelters and rescues including RSPCA WA are left to deal with the consequences.

“Kitten season is a huge drain on RSPCA WA’s shelter and inspectorate resources,” she said.

“That’s just one reason why it is incredibly important people practise responsible pet ownership and sterilise their cats.

“Cats get pregnant easily and can start breeding from as young as 16 weeks.

“When owned and unowned cats are not desexed, suburbs and regions become inundated with unwanted kittens who do not have homes to return to and face dangerous diseases and situations on the streets.

“Please, if you are the owner of an unsterilised cat, talk to your vet immediately about desexing and make the safe decision for your pet and your community.”

Inspector Green said sterilising cats has benefits beyond just unwanted litters – they are also less likely to be diagnosed with mammary cancer and uterine infections.

WA law requires all domestic cats six months and older to be sterilised and microchipped.