DEAR PET TALK: When girl dogs get spayed they get a tattoo from the vet. Do girl cats get a tattoo too?
— Janilis, 4th grade, Reingold Elementary School, Fitchburg
DEAR JANILIS: This is a great question and I’m glad you know about the importance of spaying and neutering a pet. (Spaying is the operation for female cats and neutering is for dogs). Both dogs and cats live healthier lives if they get fixed, and every pet adopted out from a shelter will have this crucial operation, along with appropriate vaccines and health/temperament evaluations.
Why do vets do this? Because some cats might have multiple owners, through no fault of their own. Some people leave cats behind when they move and of course the cat has no voice to tell a rescuer, “hey, I’ve been fixed!”
When the incision is made for the surgery, it’s usually very small, and when it heals might be nearly invisible. More vets are placing a small tattoo near that incision site, as an alert that the kitty is fixed.
According to Sheryl Blancato, chief executive officer of Second Chance Animal Services, all cats “get a little tattoo.” And no, it doesn’t hurt, because cats receive anesthesia for this operation, which is very quick, according to vet techs we’ve spoken to.
Sara B. Kimmel, cat foster coordinator/development and communications coordinator for Broken Tail Rescue confirms: “Yes, female cats get a tattoo on their belly to indicate they have been spayed. And sometimes you can’t find the tattoo so you have to look hard.”
Sometime you may see a cat who is missing the tip from one ear, to show they have been spayed or neutered. This is a practice rescue organizations, shelters and vets often do for cats who are “Trap And Release.” If the ear is cut, the rescue operators looking to spay or neuter feral cats can skip those cats, as that is evidence they’ve already had the operation. Those cats are usually feral, and would not be adoptable, but may be returned to the location where they were living — hopefully with some neighborhood Good Samaritans who will look out for them.
The importance of spaying and neutering cats cannot be overstated. This week alone, we heard from our friends at Street Cat Angels, a rescue non-profit who care for homeless cats in north Worcester County about people who are allowing their female cat to get pregnant “so the child’s friends can each get a kitten.”
This is atrocious, and amounts to animal cruelty. Kittens can be unwell, and there is no guarantee that the new “owners” want a kitten or know how to take care of one, let alone have the resources for vet care.
Our next week’s question will cover over-population of cats and dogs because of human carelessness and the theme is: “Fixing your cat and dog will give them a longer, healthier life.” Letting them have litters is painful for them, and could make them susceptible to certain cancers, illnesses and behaviors.
Sally Cragin is the director of Be PAWSitive: Therapy Pets and Community Education. Text questions to 978-320-1335.
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