How to Stop Cat Overpopulation in Massachusetts

The Humane Society of the United States estimates one cat or dog is put down every eight seconds in our nation's animal shelters, totaling four million pets per year. Many of these animals were the result of unplanned litters or short-sighted decisions to breed family pets. No matter the cause, these animals paid the ultimate price for pet overpopulation -- a problem for which there are solutions. One of the best ways to curb pet overpopulation is pet sterilization or spay/neuter. A number of animal welfare organizations offer affordable spay/neuter services as well as other programs and resources to help stop cat overpopulation in Massachusetts.

Things You'll Need

  • Internet connection
  • Telephone
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Instructions

  1. Spay/Neuter a Cat

    • 1

      Launch the Massachusetts Animal Coalition's "Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinics in Massachusetts" website (spaymass.org).

    • 2

      Click on the appropriate county or select "Please click here" to access resources that serve the entire state.

    • 3

      Select a clinic. Stipulations such as proof of low income status are documented in the column to the right of the clinic's contact information.

    • 4

      Email or phone the clinic to schedule an appointment.

    Support Animal Welfare Organizations

    • 5

      Make a donation to a Massachusetts animal welfare organization, rescue group or animal shelter. Funds are often used to support homeless animals in the group's care, promote kindness to animals or to increase public awareness about pet overpopulation.

    • 6

      Adopt a cat from a local rescue group, animal shelter or animal control facility. Avoid buying a cat at a pet store as these animals often come from cruel and inhumane breeding facilities, and your purchase only triggers more animals to be bred. To find a pet adoption organization in Massachusetts, click "Resources" in the menu bar at the top of the Massachusetts Animal Coalition website (spaymass.org). Click "View Adoption Resources." Select the appropriate county or counties for a list of organizations.

    • 7

      Promote the Massachusetts "I'm Animal Friendly" license plate. Proceeds from the sale of these plates directly fund spay/neuter surgeries in the state. Add information about the plates to your blogs, websites, Twitter feeds and Facebook profile. Distribute information flyers. Order a commemorative license plate t-shirt. Click "How to Help" in the menu bar at the top of the Massachusetts Animal Coalition website. Click "Volunteering to promote" under the "Volunteer Your Time" heading.

    • 8

      Volunteer at a local animal welfare organization, rescue group, animal shelter or animal control facility. Spend time helping to care for and socialize homeless animals as they wait for a home. Assist potential adopters in selecting the right pet for their home. Foster animals in your home until they are adopted. Foster homes are particularly important in summer months, when young kittens are born en masse. Bringing young kittens and their nursing mothers into your home protects their immature immune systems from illnesses they might contract in a shelter setting.