I can't decide whether this is the best forum for this thread, but if I've got it wrong please do move it somewhere else!
Before I got Radar, I signed up with Whiskas to receive a free Kitten Care pack, and it duly arrived in the post (about 2 months after I got him mind you, but it did turn up). This thing included some freebies, and I've never been known to turn down free samples!
Today I received an update pack, which supposedly gives advice about your kitten becoming an adult cat, his changing needs etc.
I was horrified at some of the contents which I felt gave hugely irresponsible advice, and am going to write to them to complain.
(None of these quotes are word for word, I left the pack at home and I am at work)
Firstly, it stated that 'your kitten will have finished its vaccinations by 3 months old, so has probably been exploring the outside world for a while by now!'
Since we can't neuter here until 6 months old, this is condoning letting un-fixed cats access to the outdoors, with the associated risks of early pregnancy, straying to find a mate, fighting, and FIV.
Secondly, and worse, it stated that 'If you decide not to have your cat neutered, she can have kittens from 6 months old, so speak with your vet about appropriate healthcare for your mother and kittens'
I was absolutely incensed by this, I swear I nearly had an aneurism. It is condoning letting your cat have kittens when this year shelters and charities have been absolutely overwhelmed by the huge influx of unwanted accidental kittens. It is suggesting that it is OK to let a 6 month old, the equivalent of a 12 year old girl, have kittens. It is suggesting that it is fine to let your cat wander round and mate with any old tomcat who may be ill or FIV+. Nowhere does it point out the health risks and financial burdens of pregnancy, nowhere does it mention cancers and uterine infections that your cat may go onto develop if not neutered.
Please, if anyone could post any links, preferably from veterinary-level sources, outlining the risks of a) early pregnancy, b) cancer and uterine problems in un-fixed cats, and c) risk of FIV transmission, I would be most grateful, as I want to include some weighty sources in my e-mail to them.
I will post up the exact quotes and an e-mail address when I have compiled the e-mail, as I think it would be good if other people (especially UK members!) complained also.
Of course allowing your cat to breed and burgeoning cat populations probably means more sales of Whiskas cat food in the long run, so I can hardly expect them to want to advise people to get their pets fixed.
Before I got Radar, I signed up with Whiskas to receive a free Kitten Care pack, and it duly arrived in the post (about 2 months after I got him mind you, but it did turn up). This thing included some freebies, and I've never been known to turn down free samples!
Today I received an update pack, which supposedly gives advice about your kitten becoming an adult cat, his changing needs etc.
I was horrified at some of the contents which I felt gave hugely irresponsible advice, and am going to write to them to complain.
(None of these quotes are word for word, I left the pack at home and I am at work)
Firstly, it stated that 'your kitten will have finished its vaccinations by 3 months old, so has probably been exploring the outside world for a while by now!'
Since we can't neuter here until 6 months old, this is condoning letting un-fixed cats access to the outdoors, with the associated risks of early pregnancy, straying to find a mate, fighting, and FIV.
Secondly, and worse, it stated that 'If you decide not to have your cat neutered, she can have kittens from 6 months old, so speak with your vet about appropriate healthcare for your mother and kittens'
I was absolutely incensed by this, I swear I nearly had an aneurism. It is condoning letting your cat have kittens when this year shelters and charities have been absolutely overwhelmed by the huge influx of unwanted accidental kittens. It is suggesting that it is OK to let a 6 month old, the equivalent of a 12 year old girl, have kittens. It is suggesting that it is fine to let your cat wander round and mate with any old tomcat who may be ill or FIV+. Nowhere does it point out the health risks and financial burdens of pregnancy, nowhere does it mention cancers and uterine infections that your cat may go onto develop if not neutered.
Please, if anyone could post any links, preferably from veterinary-level sources, outlining the risks of a) early pregnancy, b) cancer and uterine problems in un-fixed cats, and c) risk of FIV transmission, I would be most grateful, as I want to include some weighty sources in my e-mail to them.
I will post up the exact quotes and an e-mail address when I have compiled the e-mail, as I think it would be good if other people (especially UK members!) complained also.
Of course allowing your cat to breed and burgeoning cat populations probably means more sales of Whiskas cat food in the long run, so I can hardly expect them to want to advise people to get their pets fixed.