As Kitten Populations
Continue to Explode, February’s Feline Fix By Five Awareness Month Has Never Been More Crucial — Campaign Urges Pet Owners, Veterinarians to Spay/Neuter Kittens Before Five Months
Anywhere, USA (January 7, 2025) – Did you know kittens as young as four months old can become pregnant? With kitten season just around the corner, the best way to help shelters and prevent unplanned litters is to get your cats and kittens spayed or neutered now. February brings Feline Fix by Five Awareness Month—a timely reminder of the importance of early-age spay/neuter to stop litters before they start and help cats live longer, healthier lives.
Unchecked breeding is leading to a tragic number of homeless cats and kittens in the U.S. According to the Mars State of Pet Homelessness Report for the United States, only 77% of 91.8 million owned cats are spayed or neutered, leaving an estimated 21 million owned pet cats intact and able to breed. Additionally, there are an estimated 35 million cats living on the streets.
According to Shelter Animals Count, nearly half (47%) of the 3.3 million felines received by shelters in 2023 were kittens under five months, representing almost 1.6 million kittens. This means close to a quarter of the total animal intake (6.5 million animals) in 2023 was kittens, so intake numbers could be vastly reduced through increased spay/neuter.
Throughout February, United Spay Alliance and Marian’s Dream are urging pet owners to engage in conversations with friends, family, and veterinarians about the best time to spay or neuter kittens. By spreading awareness, the campaign seeks to reduce the number of unplanned litters and promote the many health benefits of early-age sterilization for cats. Additionally, February 27 is World Spay Day and a good reminder to spay/neuter all cats and dogs.
Feline Fix by Five: A Proven Approach
Feline Fix by Five, a joint program of Marian’s Dream and United Spay Alliance, raises awareness among veterinarians and pet owners about the advantages of spaying or neutering kittens before five months of age. Backed by research and widespread support, this program highlights how early-age sterilization can prevent litters, reduce shelter intake, and help cats live healthier lives.
The initiative began in January 2016 with the Veterinary Task Force on Feline Sterilization’s Recommendations for Age of Spay and Neuter Surgery. This consensus document has since been endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and several state veterinary associations, including those in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and New Hampshire.
Widespread Endorsements
Feline Fix by Five has gained support from leading organizations such as the ASPCA, PETA, the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA), the National Kitten Coalition, the EveryCAT Health Foundation, The International Cat Association, and The Cat Fanciers’ Association. Organizations interested in joining the campaign can submit their endorsements online.
Get Involved
Take action today to support Feline Fix by Five Awareness Month! Pet owners, reach out to your veterinarians and schedule an appointment to spay or neuter your kittens before five months of age. Veterinarians, join the movement by spreading the word, offering early-age sterilization options to clients, and sign up to be listed as an official Feline Fix by Five provider.
Access valuable resources and learn how you can make a difference at unitedspayalliance.org/feline-fix-by-five. Stay inspired and connected by following @FelineFixByFive on Facebook and Instagram.
About Marian’s Dream
Since 1981, Marian’s Dream has led initiatives to improve the health and well-being of companion animals. By supporting grassroots organizations, the nonprofit creates programs to end pet overpopulation through prevention. Learn more at mariansdream.org.
About United Spay Alliance
United Spay Alliance (USA) envisions a future where every cat and dog has a loving home. USA works to make this a reality by championing affordable, accessible, and timely spay/neuter services. From maintaining a nationwide directory of low-cost services to fostering collaboration through the State Leader Network and empowering veterinarians with programs like HQHVSN wet labs and Feline Fix by Five, USA leads with proactive prevention. In 2024, USA launched United We Spay, a podcast sharing inspiring stories from the spay/neuter movement. Learn more at unitedspayalliance.org or follow @UnitedSpayAlliance on Facebook and Instagram.