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Petition · past parliament · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Make the neutering/spaying of pet cats a legal requirement.

Closed 3,216 signatures

What the petition asks

Make it a legal requirement for owners to neuter/spay their cat, and for kittens to be neutered no later than 4 months of age. Registered cat breeders are to be exempt from this law. This will help reduce the stray population, lessen the strain on rescue charities, and save thousands of cat’s lives.
There are more than 9 million stray, and 1.5 million feral cats in the uk (Cats Protection, 2018). Neutered tom cats are reported to live 62% longer than intact males, and spayed female’s 39% longer than intact females. The average lifespan of a stray cat is just 2 years. Intact female kittens can be impregnated at only 4 months of age. Intact toms spread disease and fight, so often end up with infected wounds. The British Veterinary Association strongly support the routine neutering of cats.

Timeline

15 Sep 2020 Petition opened for signatures
15 Mar 2021 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 3,216
Status Closed
Department Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened 15 Sep 2020
Closed 15 Mar 2021

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.