Hart District Council Works in Partnership to Help Cat Owners

Hart District Council is working in partnership with Cats Protection and two local veterinary surgeries to offer cat owners on low incomes the opportunity to have their cats neutered or spayed at a reduced cost.

Formed in 1927, Cats Protection (CP) has grown to become the UK’s leading feline welfare charity. It re-homes and reunites 55,000 cats and kittens every year through its network of over 250 voluntary run branches and 29 adoption centres.  CP believes that neutering is the only effective way to reduce the number of unwanted cats in the UK and strives to make it easy for cat owners on low incomes to have their cats neutered.

If you are in receipt of means tested benefit or are a full time student and you own a cat or cats, you are eligible for assistance with having your cat neutered if it is a male or spayed if it is a female.  The voucher does not cover all of the costs of the operation as you will still have to pay part of the cost directly to the veterinary practice.

Cllr Susan Band, portfolio holder for Health and Housing said: “Hart District Council is committed to the promotion of responsible animal ownership and this partnership approach between Hart, Cats Protection, Ark Veterinary Practice and St Kitt’s Veterinary Centre is very much the way forward.

“Unwanted litters can cause problems for cats themselves, their owners and for hard pressed animal charities that have to find homes for cats and kittens.”

To apply for a subsidised voucher, you would need to contact the dog warden service at Hart District Council on 01252 774420.  If you have six or more cats in one household, Cats Protection may be able to help you with neutering  -you will need to call the CP Helpline directly on 03000 121212 for more details.