Kärnten neuters 300 more stray cats than last year

Authorities in the Austrian state of Kärnten have neutered 300 more stray cats this year than during the same period last year, ORF reported. A total of 83 municipalities have so far taken part in the campaign.

The project is funded by the state of Kärnten, the Association of Municipalities and the Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons. The state is providing 64,000 euros, paying 42 euros for each operation. The municipality involved contributes the same amount.

Beate Prettner, the state councillor responsible for animal welfare, said the strong participation by municipalities showed that the project was urgently needed. The initiative will continue in cooperation with the Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons.

Neutering aims to curb uncontrolled breeding

The campaign targets stray cats that are visibly ownerless and seen on the streets. After a report is submitted to the relevant municipality, animal welfare groups or volunteers are sought to catch the cats and take them to the nearest veterinarian.

Under the state’s announcement, captured cats must remain identifiable as stray cats through a microchip. Prettner said neutering was the only sustainable and animal welfare friendly way to curb the uncontrolled breeding of stray cats.