CAT-OWNERS in Ruskington are being offered the chance to neuter their pets for just £5 as part of a national charity scheme.

The Sleaford branch of the Cats Protection League has teamed up with Foxhall Veterinary Clinic to launch the scheme, aimed at low-income households, in a bid to curb the village's unneutered (or 'entire') feline population.

Karen Sheldon, of the Sleaford CPL, said: "We've noticed the village has become a bit of a hotspot for the production of kittens!"

But the charity can only afford to fund 50 operations so they are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis to cats aged at least five months old.

Foxhall vet Stephanie Lange-Cook said: "Neutering is essential to keep your cats happy, healthy and close to home.

"Entire males will go walkabout for miles in search for a female and often they never find their way back or get killed on the road.

"They will mark their territory with the spray of urine, fight aggressively with other cats and spread diseases like Feline AIDS, Feline Leukaemia and respiratory virus' to other cats."

She added: "Recently the Cats Protection brought a stray tomcat to our clinic – entire, very thin, covered in lice, lame and with a severe infection in his foot.

"But he was also suffering from Feline AIDS and had to be euthanized.

"He must have been only three or four years old – it is a sad example of what can happen if you do not neuter your cats."

But it's not just male cats that will benefit from the chop.

Female felines can become pregnant from just five months old and can produce up to three litters a year.

And contrary to myth, there is no benefit to a female in letting it produce a litter before neutering.

In young cats this can stunt their growth and affect their health, while cats of any age can face the risk of complicated births resulting in costly medical treatment.

Mating with strays also introduces the added risk of contracting Feline AIDS which will be passed on to kittens and other cats in the household – very often with fatal consequences.

And with news this week of the credit crunch being blamed for the huge increase of numbers at animal shelters throughout the county, it seems more important than ever to reduce the number of unwanted animals.

Karen said the Sleaford CPL branch has already noticed a larger than normal number of abandoned adult cats while Karen Ansell of the Lincoln RSPCA said it is now at 'bursting point' and has closed its waiting lists.

Stephanie added: "There are always hundreds of stray cats looking for a good home."

For more information ring Foxhall Veterinary Clinic on (01526) 833555 or visit the clinic at Brookside Close, Ruskington. For the Sleaford CPL ring Karen on (01529) 488749.