As animal shelters across the country continue to report record numbers of cats in their facilities, many experts say global warming — and a longer cat breeding season — is causing the cat population increase. Kathy Warnick, president of Pets Across America, said global warming may be contributing to the dramatic increase in the number of stray, owned and feral cats.
“Cats are typically warm-weather, spring-time breeders,” Warnick said. “However, states that typically experience primarily longer and colder winters are now seeing shorter, warmer winters, leading to year-round breeding. Basically, there is no longer a reproduction lull with cat breeding cycles and unfortunately, it seems more people are bringing boxes of kittens into our agencies during winter now.”
Warnick said that in 2005-2006, several Pets Across America shelters reported an increase in their cat and kitten intakes of more than 30 percent. The intake of cats and kittens rose 7 percent overall last year, a number the organization said shows how warmer climates affect the cat breeding season.
“We have long discussed the benefits of spaying and neutering cats,” said Bob Rohde, vice president of Pets Across America. “It is likely that global warming is probably not going to be slowing any time soon; therefore, it benefits everyone when pet owners take action and spay and neuter their pets.”
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