This morning we found a dead cat across the street. I doubt it belongs to anyone. It spurred me to write this letter to the people of Big Sandy. Cats begin their breeding time roughly from March to the fall. Each cat is capable of having four to eight kittens per litter. A cat can begin having kittens between 4 and 12 months old. Some cats produce five litters per year. I’ll save you the math--that means a possible 40 kittens for each stray cat.

We usually have around 8 cats coming into our yard in the nice weather.These poor souls have no hope of regular food or water. They are subject to cars, dogs and cruel people. This is disgusting. Those who have cats need to get their cats spayed or neutered. There are low cost clinics in the spring. Call the Fort Benton animal’s shelter or a local vet who can tell you where you can take your cats to get their surgery.

Farmers who have too many kittens constantly-----get your cats spayed or neutered. Please do not send them into town to families that won’t spay or neuter. You are adding to the over population problem that we have in town. I know of others like myself who try to feed and care for these poor unwanted creatures but it’s not just our responsibility. Its everyone’s responsibility. Then there’s the idea that you are somehow doing a favor to your children by having a cat give birth. Really?? If they want a kitten there are dozens at the Fort Benton shelter you can adopt.You can then really add to their education by teaching them the responsibilities of caring for an animal.

Paul McCartney said, “ You can judge a man’s character by the way he treats his fellow animals.” Big Sandy is proud of many things, why not add kindness to animals in that list???

Anne Denning

Big Sandy, MT