Kamloops SPCA hopes to reduce cat overpopulation issue with free spaying and neutering for low-income owners

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops SPCA and its Spay-Neuter Clinic is launching a new program to reduce the growing overpopulation of cats in the community.

The Community Animal Centre near the airport is offering free spaying and neutering to cat owners who may not be able to afford it.

“It includes spay-neuter costs. We also vaccinate the cats and we microchip them as well,” said Kamloops SPCA Community Engagement Manager Ashley Fontaine.

A 2019 report put together by the Kamloops SPCA determined that finances were the biggest barrier for owners to spay or neuter their cat. The Kamloops branch sees the most cat surrenders across the province.

“Last year, we took in 78 per cent of the total felion population in all of B.C., so we’re talking thousands of cats a year that are being abandoned, that are being surrendered,” noted Fontaine. “Families whose cats are having kittens and they don’t have the finances or the resources to take care of them, so they’re surrendering them to the SPCA.”

For anyone who feels they may be eligible for the program can call the BC SPCA Call Centre at 1-855-622-7722, option 6. Applications can be accessed online here.

“It’s calculated depending on the [income] threshold. The total household income, how many people are living in that household. It’s all calculated, so I would just encourage people to go on the site, fill out the application. We’re doing it based on priority,” said Fontaine.

While the costs are covered for the surgery and vaccinations, there is a minimum $20 contribution required upon booking the appointment.