We've also been running a mini neutering campaign on the *tree* site which has been quite successful
Since Nov 3rd and until 31/12 we too have a neutering campaign where people can have their cats neutered/spayed for £5 although in reality we often pay that. It is our most successful campaign ever with over 200 vouchers already applied for. A couple of days ago my arm was nearly falling of as I had to write 81 vouchers in one go. I am very pleased as this time so many of the cats are older cats and not just kittens. It has cost us hundreds of pounds for 8 weekly adverts in a local freebie paper but well worth it.
We also advertise vouchers every week all year and have A4 adverts on our cat food collection bins all year, in our shop and any other places who will allow our posters.
Each time I issue a voucher I always send an A4 sheet of paper with the reasons why cats need neutering/spaying and ask people pass the information on. When someone asks for a voucher for there cat who has had kittens I also ask how many kittens and send out advice sheets and telling about the vouchers to give out with every kitten.
When people ring for what ever reason I always ask if they know anyone who has unneutered/unspayed cats, it is surprising how many I pick up that way that need 'doing'. Also when people ring for a voucher I ask do you have any more cats, again it is surprising sometimes how more they do have that need the ‘ops’. I know I have posted before but these are examples of the calls:-
1.
Caller Can you help me? my cat went missing and has come back with kittens, I already have 6 cats and can’t have any more.
.
Me Unfortunately we have a number of kittens ourselves at the moment and have
no room, anyway how old are the kittens?
.
Caller Just over a week.
Me Well the kittens must be with their mum until they are at least 8 weeks old.
Caller But their mother has rejected them and I am feeding them.
Me With what?
Caller SMA
Me You must get proper kitten milk
Caller O.K. then
Me I will send you a booklet about hand rearing kittens.
Caller I don’t know much do I?
Me [Being diplomatic]. Well we all learn something new every day.
Caller I think the mother cat has mastitis.
Me In that case you had better have a word with your vet as your cat may need
treatment.
Caller Oh, I didn’t realise.
Me If you give me your name and address I will send you a voucher to get the mother cat spayed when the vet advises it is safe to do so.
Caller Thank you.
Me You said you had 6 cats, are all the others neutered and spayed?
Caller Yes, oh! I do have 2 six-month-old females that have not been spayded
Me Would you like me to send you vouchers to get them spayed?
Caller Yes please.
Me So you have 3 females that need spaying and all the other cats have been
neutered or spayed?
Caller Yes, Well I do have a six-month-old male that has not been neutered.
Me You do really need to get him neutered as soon as possible as he may make
the 3 females pregnant.
Caller Oh no he won’t one is his mum and the others are his sisters.
Me He can and he probably will.
Caller Oh I didn’t realize, I don’t know much do I?
Me My first thought was no comment, but said so lets start again you have 6 cats, the
mother cat, two six-month-old sisters, and their six-month-old brother that have not been neutered or spayed.
Caller Yes
Me Right that’s sorted then.
Caller Well one of the other two has not been spayded, I’ve only had one done.
And so it went on, what appeared to be a simple request to bring in kittens turned into a mind-boggling conversation.
2.
Caller Can I have a voucher for a spay?
Me Do you have any other cats?
Caller Well I have just taken in a six-month-old cat.
Me Do you want a voucher for that as well?
Caller Yes.
Me So you just have the two cats?
Caller Well we do have an old tom.
Me How old is he and has he been neutered?
Caller He is 8 and has not been neutered.
Me Well he will need neutering
Caller Does he?
Me Yes, Would you like to me to send a voucher for him as well?
Caller O K
Me I’ll send you the vouchers and I’ll also enclose other information about cat Care and a parasite book.
Caller What’s a parasite book?
Me It explains about worms and fleas and the best way to control them.
Caller Oh! I didn’t realize that cats got fleas and worms.
Nothing to do with this but it may give you a smile.
One of the most amusing calls I have received was, I’ve just taken my cat to the vets because I thought it had wind and 6 kittens just plopped on the floor. The only thing I can say to that is watch out if you have wind.
