AN animal charity hosted an event to support cat owners in Warrington, Widnes, and Runcorn who are on benefits or low income.

At the three-day event, Warrington Animal Welfare offered free neutering and chipping as part of World Spay Day last month.

At the charity’s Slutchers Lane on-site neutering clinic, a record number of 73 cats were spayed or castrated, micro-chipped, health-checked and returned to their owners.

This was in a bid to help reduce the amount of unwanted and abandoned cats and kittens in the area and to promote responsible pet ownership.

The event was made possible by a team of 15 amazing volunteer vets and vet nurses that work in partnership with the charity and dedicated volunteers who supported collecting and dropping off cats, cleaning, and administration.

Veterinary nurse Claire Shepherd who helped to set up the clinic and organised the volunteers, said: “There was a desire from vets and vet nurses to volunteer to help animals in need in the UK, and the WAW clinic is a great facility to allow us to do this. 

“We have such a remarkable network of vets and vet nurses all willing to give up their time to help animals locally.

“They are committed to caring for animals well beyond their daily job and supporting rescues, which are overwhelmed now, due to the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and excessive breeding.”

The event intentionally took place before the warm weather started in a bid to reduce the annual spike in the numbers of unwanted and abandoned kittens known as ‘kitten season’ which lasts from spring to late autumn.

WAW Trustee Julie Pickett added: “There is a huge need for community neutering in the Northwest, there are not enough good homes for cats.  In the first few months of 2023, WAW has already rehomed 83 cats and kittens, with around 96 waiting to come in and we are just one local charity.

“We hope that the event will help reduce the annual spike in the numbers of unwanted and abandoned kittens, known as ‘Kitten Season,’ which lasts from Spring to late autumn. 

"Most people don’t realise that cats can get pregnant from four months, plus there are the benefits of neutering as neutered cats tend to live longer and happier lives, they are less likely to roam and go missing and male cats are less likely to spray and fight.

“The support from the volunteer vets and vet nurses is immeasurable and we would like to thank each and everyone of them, who along with our volunteers and staff make events like these possible.”