By Linda Spurlin
Good Samarians who spend their spare time in dark alleys and under bridges with live traps and cans of tuna fish would tell you that the cats they catch are traumatized from the capture and carry and handling by humans. They would also would tell you their wallets are traumatized when the vet puts the cat to sleep and shaves its tender tummy only to find a previous surgery scar there! What a waste of both the person’s time and money, and the unimaginable concerns the cat went through between the trip to the vet, the needle, the shaving, and the misery of coming out of the anesthetic for no reason.
A simple procedure known as ‘ear tipping’ is becoming the universal sign that a cat is ‘fixed’. While there are a few clinics that clip the tip of the right ear, or make a notch, the vast majority of facilities working with cats clip the tip of the left ear while the cat is already asleep for its spay or neuter. This small, straight across, snip off the tip doesn’t look ragged like frostbite or battle scars would. It’s an obvious sign to those that work with the cat population that this particular cat is already fixed and there is no reason to catch it again.
Some tenderhearted critics complain that it must hurt! First, realize that its being done while the cat is asleep anyway, and when you think about what else is being removed from the cat at the same time, somehow a small tip off the ear pales in comparison.
Others will see no reason to request this ear tipping be done because it’s their beloved house pet and will never be alone in a world where it’s private parts are in question. Think about all the stray cats you have seen. Many of them had homes where they were loved before their situation changed and they became alley cats. This mark could save your pet’s life someday. From a short distance, anyone can tell that either it’s someone’s pet or was a part of a feral cat spay or neuter program. People are less apt to dispose of stray cats that they can see are not going to overpopulate their sheds and alleys.
Consider the small clipped tip a badge of honor. It shows the world that you cared enough to have your cat spayed or neutered and with this small visible sign, it’s life may be spared in the future, or at the least, it will be saved another trip to the vet should your pet ever be on its own in the world.
Stevens County Cat Care, your local non-profit cat spay/neuter group, is beginning to use this universal ear tipping program. To adopt an already spayed or neutered ear tipped kitty, or to sponsor a cat, call (509) 935-6369 (MEOW). Donations can also be made to our spay/neuter program at any local veterinarian’s office.
