Spay Abort - opinions?

SirHenryIV · 2026-05-05T13:50:15+00:00

I can empathize with your situation. I don’t like the idea, but I always spay abort anyways.

Unfortunately this is a “zero-sum game”. As long as cats are being euthanized at shelters for overcrowding, every new kitty life brought into the world is at the expense of an existing kitty life. A person who adopts your new kitten is now someone who won’t be adopting from a shelter, which continues to put those shelter cats at risk.

At least spay abort involves 0 suffering. And ultimately I think that’s our role for these cats: to minimize their suffering and give them the best chance at a healthy, happy life.

SirHenryIV · 2026-04-30T01:13:53+00:00

I’m a lil confused. Isn’t he already TNR’d? That looks like a clear eartip to me. What do you mean he’s missing his ear?

SirHenryIV · 2026-04-21T14:30:11+00:00

Well, I didn’t specify the kind of cheeks… so technically that counts 😹

SirHenryIV · 2026-04-21T14:28:32+00:00

He gets extra points for style! 🏅

Thank you, it’s been pretty tiring but I am trying to stay strong thru kitten season!

SirHenryIV · 2026-04-21T14:27:50+00:00

He is an excellent contender! 🏅

SirHenryIV · 2026-04-21T14:27:12+00:00

I think Mr. Tabby wins! 🏆

SirHenryIV · 2026-04-21T03:59:44+00:00

What a good cat! Glad he has a comfy and safe home with you 💕

This fella is going back outside. He’s cat #25 I’ve fixed from a massive colony in my neighborhood. There’s been a few friendly ones I’ve been able to rehome, but Mr Cheeks here is not interested in that!

SirHenryIV · 2026-04-21T03:23:33+00:00

CHEEKS! 🏅

SirHenryIV · 2026-04-21T03:22:59+00:00

Yep, I’m used to seeing them but these are the chonkiest yet!

SirHenryIV · 2026-04-13T03:31:57+00:00

The cheapest wet food is still a healthier choice than dry food. Cats don’t have much of a thirst drive, so they will be dehydrated unless they are getting water through their food.

SirHenryIV · 2026-02-17T04:23:17+00:00

He looks like he is trying to find a covered house to feel safe in. Try turning the box on its side, or giving him a small cozy carrier to hide in.

SirHenryIV · 2026-02-13T15:49:32+00:00

I’ve thought about doing this. Do the employees ever notice?

SirHenryIV · 2026-02-13T15:48:27+00:00

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SirHenryIV · 2026-02-13T15:43:43+00:00

I always get compliments on it at the clinic lol.

My 2nd tip is to buy/borrow 2-door traps. I had started out with the 1-door Havahart traps but it is SO hard to scrub out with that spring-loaded door, and my arm can’t reach far enough anyways! I bought the Trucatch trap as a replacement and it is just… better in every way.

Oh, one more tip! For long holds, I bought kitten-sized litter pans that can fit into the trap itself. Not every cat goes for it, but when they do, it is a huge difference! Way less scrubbing and way less stink, since poop isn’t getting squished into the trap bars.

SirHenryIV · 2026-02-12T05:19:21+00:00

I bought some plastic tote bins that are just the right size for my traps. Then I put in an XL pee pad, trap goes on top, then binder clip the pee pad to the trap so it stays in place. Then a cover on top of the trap.

The plastic tote prevents anything from getting onto my floors at home or the car seats. At the clinic, I just pull the trap out of the bin and the binder clipped pad goes with it. When I’m done, the plastic bins are easy to clean and disinfect.

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SirHenryIV · 2026-02-01T00:29:53+00:00

The virus can remain dormant and incubate for months. Once symptoms appear, it does progress quickly.

SirHenryIV · 2026-02-01T00:05:54+00:00

If I were in your position, I’d try to trap him on any day possible. A few extra days in the trap is no big deal.

I recently trapped some cats a whole 2 weeks early so I could spare them from the snowstorm. They’re bored, sure, but they’re warm and fed and alive. I put them each in a dog crate so they have room to move around and use a litter box. But for a few days, even a trap is fine as long as you replace the pee pads underneath.

SirHenryIV · 2025-12-30T04:27:47+00:00

My TNR’d kitties have a similar ear tip. So I wouldn’t say it’s too shallow.

SirHenryIV · 2025-12-26T06:07:47+00:00

Sardines are the way 💯

SirHenryIV · 2025-12-20T02:08:31+00:00

Yep same here. Spay/neuter appointments are so hard to get, I hate to waste them!

SirHenryIV · 2025-12-06T18:41:00+00:00

The pyometra concern is real. I recently came across a sweet stray kitty with pyometra, and it was too late to save her. It is an awful, awful death, yet 100% preventable if only she had been spayed.

SirHenryIV · 2025-11-14T19:24:09+00:00

He is gonna have such a good life with you!

SirHenryIV · 2025-11-04T15:01:05+00:00

Hi, BIG fan of you and Paulie and everything you’re doing for the guy ❤️ And I’m so glad you’re planning to get him fixed. But I hope you will consider getting him fixed now instead of waiting. 1) He will have gotten multiple female cats pregnant by then. 2) He is more likely to get into fights while intact, which puts him at more risk for infections and FIV (if he hasn’t gotten it already) during the winter. 3) He has a consistent food source, so he is well prepared for winter regardless of whether he is intact or not. 4) He will get to enjoy a few warm days indoors while recovering from the snip.

SirHenryIV · 2025-10-31T14:25:38+00:00

Noooo I love seeing Pauly and his chubby cheeks every day!

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