Unless there are very strong reasons for wanting your cat to have a litter, the kind and sensible thing to do is to have it neutered. The operation is simple, painless and safe. In the long run it is better for everyone, including the animal. “The necessary frustration of hormone activity in a pet often leads to mental and physical ailments. Neutering removes the source and hence the problem. Un-neutered tom-cats have the unpleasant habit of marking their territory by urinating on it. They are also some of the greatest wanderers and almost always get into fights, often causing serious injuries. “A female cat in season can attract a continual host of admirers. A cat can have three pregnancies a year and up to five or six kittens in each litter. These kittens quickly grow up and start breeding and that is when the real problems start.” Overview The mobile neutering clinic (MNC) was purchased and became operational in May 2001,originally funded by the 23 branches in the South East Region . Its remit is cat neutering, this year alone over 6600 cats have been neutered in the Kent, Sussex and Essex areas. Many more have received essential welfare treatments and their owners given advice that they would otherwise not have had. Micro chipping is also available as a service from the clinic. . It employs a veterinary nurse as mobile neutering clinic co-ordinator (MNCC) who is responsible for all aspects of the running and maintenance of the clinic. The MNCC offers support to branches in searching for suitable sites to locate the clinic, and provision of vets to run it. The dates of the clinic visit - along with contact number and donation prices - are advertised in the local press as set up by the branch and/or the Regional Press Officer three weeks in advance (in order for those people on benefits to save up for the donation). The nurse then drives the vehicle to the location, links to local facilities, and together with the services of a local vet, neuters those cats pre-booked for the clinic. The MNC deals with a wide variety of welfare issues as well as the neutering. One example was ‘Titch’, a ginger tom, who was presented for neutering, but the clinic co-ordinator noticed sores on his back. His back was shaved to reveal two massive injuries, most probably caused by a dog bite. An Inspector was called, who visited the owners. They admitted to knowing about the problem, but claimed they could not afford treatment. The cat was signed over, restored to full health and rehomed. If he had not come to the clinic, he would probably still be suffering. Another presented for neutering was a 3 year old female, who was discovered to have a decomposing kitten in her birth canal. Feral colonies are another large area of work, sites being identified by Inspectors and the public. Two examples of this type of work in the last year are a house in Essex, where the owner had committed suicide and left a feral cat colony, which was starving. Over a period of two days, the cats were trapped and treated – some had to be put to sleep, but 6 were successfully relocated. In another case, the clinic was called to Stamford Open Prison, which had a feral community in its grounds. 23 cats were successfully trapped and treated, 5 of which were already pregnant. Not only does the MNC assist people on very low income in the neutering and micro chipping of their cats and providing welfare advice, it also reaches those animals that might not otherwise receive this treatment. Is also provides an essential service assisting the Inspectorate with multi-cat households and animal collection. The clinic makes a valuable contribution to three of the Society’s four designated priority areas of activity, and raises the RSPCA’s profile as it travels around, enhancing its reputation. The MNCC forges good working relationships with other cat organisations in the area, and the Cats Protection League has sought help and advice from the MNCC on the recent setting up of their own mobile neutering clinic. The MNC supports Leybourne animal centre and branches on open days, and the MNC co-ordinator also supports branch meetings with presentations and talks as requested. Funding The budget is carefully monitored by the region’s staff, with income for the clinic taking the form of payments from the public for the neutering and treatments and initially was part funded by many of the branches however as time has passed the internal funding has diminished hence our need to work with a commercial partner to sponsor this vital activity. Set up The Van ( which we already have in operation ) General: Vauxhall Movano 2.8 Dti L WB 3.5 tonne Body: Reinforced plastic Aero moulded Luton body Engine: 2.8Dti Turbo diesel generating max power 115 BHP @ 3600 RPM. Steering: Power assisted rack and pinion system with 15.27 metre turning circle. Transmission: Front wheel drive with five speed manual gearbox. Service intervals: 12,000 miles or every two years. Alternator: Fitted with uprated alternator. Towing: Fitted with tow hook and reinforced rear suspension. Safety: Fitted with Safety Pack. We are willing to consider dual livery of this Vehicle for the period of sponsorship. Mobile Neutering Clinic Co-Ordinator (MNCC) The role of the Mobile Neutering Clinic Co-Ordinator is crucial to the successful running of the MNC. General responsibilities are driving and moving the clinic, providing nursing support on site, caring for the clinic and equipment, planning and co-ordinating the moves of the clinic across the regions, briefing Branch volunteers, resolving local difficulties, stock control and ordering all drugs. Veterinary Support Each Branch arranges for the vet/locum to attend the MNC (Vet known to them where possible, Locum if not). Occasionally the MNCC is able to help arrange a Locum, when a local vet is not available. Running the MNC It is the branch’s responsibility to find a suitable site(s) for the clinic. This means an easily accessible, level site with its own electricity supply for the clinic to plug in to. Our MNCC does site visits, if the branches are unsure. . A few days before the allotted dates, the bookings-taker will fax over the list of bookings to the MNCC. Ideally the branch, the MNCC and the bookings-taker should all have a copy. Whilst the volunteer is dealing with the above details, the MNCC does the check up and pre-med. The vet arrives during this process and the operations begin at approximately 9.00am running through until approximately 1.00pm, at which time the vet leaves. The MNCC then cleans up after the operations whilst being able to keep a close eye on the patients as they come round from the anaesthetic. The owners can collect their cats between 3.00 and 4.00 pm. Costings The annual running costs are made up of: • MNCC - Salary, National Insurance, Pension, Medical Insurance, Uniform/protective clothing, Training, UK travel (plus any overnights necessary), Home telephone/fax. • Running of MNC – Vehicle equipment, Mobile phone, Printing & Stationery, Computer Maintenance, Durable veterinary equipment, Disposable veterinary equipment, Advertising, Postage. • The Vehicle – Insurance, Road Fund Licence, Petrol & Oil, Servicing and Maintenance, Tax, Depreciation. • Vets Fees. Current minimum donations are £20 for a male and £25 for a female. We are hoping to find a commercial sponsor for a minimum 3 year period at £150000 to help us continue to run this vital service.