As a Pono Cat Parent, some of the most important actions you can take early on are to spay or neuter and microchip your cat. You can often take care of these both at the same time.
You’ll rest easier knowing that you have taken steps to make sure you can be reunited with your cat and that it can’t contribute to pet overpopulation. The wildlife of Hawaiʻi thanks you too!
Spaying and Neutering
Even if your cat is a fully indoor pet, they can accidentally slip outside. Spaying or neutering prevents unwanted litters if this happens and a microchip with owner contact information attached will help them get back home.
Almost 90% of cat owners on O‘ahu have already spayed or neutered their pet. For new cat owners, spaying or neutering when cats are younger can:
- Prevent nuisance behaviors, such as spraying urine indoors or yowling when they are in heat
- Decrease aggression
- Reduce recovery time from surgery
Plan Your Pet’s Spay/Neuter Procedure Now
There is high demand for spay/neuter services in Hawaiʻi, so be prepared to book appointments well in advance.
You can schedule with your veterinarian and many organizations periodically offer free or reduced clinics. Join your local cat groups on social media for updates. The humane societies on each island also provide services with reduced fees.
- KAUA‘I: Book appointments online for the Kaua‘i Humane Society’s low cost spay neuter clinic
- O‘AHU: Book appointments online at the Hawaiian Humane Society. The City and County of Honolulu has also partnered with veterinarians to provide reduced rate sterilization services through the Neuter Now Program.
- MOLOKA‘I: Learn more about the Molokai Humane Society’s spay neuter program, including clinic times, required forms, and contact information.
- MAUI: Book appointments online at the Maui Humane Society.
- HAWAIʻI ISLAND: Learn more and fill out an online application at the Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society
Microchipping
Microchips allow you to reunite with your cat more quickly in the event that they escape your home.
In Hawaiʻi, microchips are required by state law. They are devices implanted under the skin that can be scanned for owner information. Since cats often lose collars, it is a more secure way to make sure your cat finds its way back to you. In most cases, microchips are included in spay/neuter appointments if pets are not microchipped already.
Any veterinarian and many cat groups can scan microchips for free, so if you find a friendly cat wandering outside, you can secure it and bring it in for a scan. It might turn out to be your neighbor’s pet and one day they may return the favor! Just make sure you have a plan for what you will do with the cat once it is scanned and you know its status. Many shelters will only accept socialized cats and they and other foster organizations are often at capacity.
Microchip Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to update your contact information if you move. It’s easy to do on the web or with a phone call. You can create a free account and register or update your pet’s microchip information on 24petwatch.