I have heard that some cat owners are reluctant to have their male pets neutered because it might cause them to become less inclined to be “hunter-mousers”; to get fat and lazy, change their personality, etc.

I can only tell my experience, which supports none of these ideas.

When I was growing up, my family “sort of owned” a cat (Garfield says nobody owns a cat), but I never “related” to one until three years ago.

Then, a young but full-grown orange-yellow tomcat began coming out of the woods around our home. At first he was wary and skittish, but soon made friends.

We checked, and found that he had “not gotten along with his siblings” and left a neighbor’s home. I very reluctantly gave him back.

The neighbor wouldn’t sell him at any reasonable price. But soon, the neighbor brought him back, saying he was unhappy and still fighting with his siblings.

My family was delighted and named him Thomas. For three years, he has been a real pleasure. He tended to wander off and be gone overnight.

Because we felt a sense of duty, and thought it might keep him at home, we had him neutered, over two years ago. He has not gotten fat, is a super mouser, stays at home, and has a terrific personality. He is highly affectionate, surprisingly obedient, chases other cats (and even a fox, recently) away.

I have a good neighbor, Ginna Holyoak, who loves animals and is very active in seeing to their best interests; she asked me to relate my experience with Thomas so that cat owners can feel less hesitant about having male cats neutered.

It is very important to do so. We take much comfort in the fact that Thomas is not roaming the neighborhood, risking traffic and producing loose cats to kill wildlife.

 

Lynn Wirtz

Natchez resident