More Stray Cats on The Streets – Why Neutering Is Important
September 16, 2026
Last month, animal rescue charities, including Blue Cross and the RSPCA, reported struggling to cope with a rise in unwanted cats coming into care.
Charities believe this is due to falling rates of neutering – research by Cats Protection revealed that there has been a drop in cats undergoing the procedure, with a fall from 88% in 2020 to 82% in 2025.
Considering this, our team at Molesey Vets are here to raise awareness about what neutering is, what the benefits are, and why it matters.
Neutering is one of the many services we offer here at Molesey Vets and if you’re considering the procedure, we’re happy to talk it through.
Speak to our team about a neutering appointment
Do I need to neuter my cat?
Our team in East Molesey explain that not everybody needs to neuter their cat, although it is recommended for the majority. Some owners across Surrey opt not to, with the most common reasons being keeping their cats indoors or wanting them to have kittens.
In cases where a cat is being kept indoors in a controlled environment with the intention to breed, there is unlikely to be an issue. However, research from Cats Protection found 1.5 million cats in the UK had not been neutered, and many are having kittens that were not planned for. Even indoor cats pose the risk of escaping due to roaming behaviours when in heat, so if you aren’t planning to breed your cat, Molesey Vets’ team highly recommend the procedure.
Cats can become pregnant from as young as four months old and they are effective breeders, so it is particularly important to keep kittens indoors until you get them neutered.
While it’s completely understandable for owners to feel apprehensive about having their pet undergo a surgical procedure, there are many reasons why neutering is beneficial, not just for shelters but for your cat too.
Why neutering is recommended
Neutering not only helps keep more cats out of care but also keeps your cat safer outdoors and protects them against various health issues. Below is Molesey Vets’ summary of cat neutering benefits.
- Prevents unwanted pregnancies that may lead to stray kittens as well as potential health complications that can come with an unplanned pregnancy.
- Reduced risk of your cat getting lost, roaming into traffic or getting into fights or accidents while looking for a mate
- Lowers the risk of certain cancers (mammary, ovarian, testicular) and serious infections like pyometra.
- Reduces howling (mating calls) and spraying pee.
Is neutering safe?
Yes, neutering is a quick routine procedure carried out under general anaesthetic and cat’s typically return home the same day. Complications with the procedure are very rare, and a member of our team will talk you through everything so that you feel more informed before going ahead.
Your cat may be slightly wobbly as the anaesthetics wares off, so keep an eye on them once they’re back. The younger your cat is, the quicker they tend to recover, and male cats recover slightly faster than females. Generally, cats will be fully healed within 10 days.
Neutering your cat can make a big difference, and if they aren’t yet, don’t worry, it’s not too late.
If you’re thinking about neutering your cat soon and would like some more advice, our friendly team in East Molesey are happy to help – just get in touch.
