Feline the Love: Petmania Urges Cat Owners to be Mindful During Busy Kitten Season This May

Ireland’s Pet Experts Petmania in Tralee is urging cat owners to be responsible this kitten season and neuter their cats to help ease pressure on cat rescue centres nationwide. May is typically the start of what is known as ‘kitten season’, which runs until September, when many families across the country will be greeted with unexpected, and often unwanted litters of kittens that require rehoming and result in increased strain on local rescue centres.

Research conducted recently by Petmania revealed that 67% of Irish homeowners have a pet in their family. A total of 46% of those pet owners have a cat in their home, making them the second most popular pet in Ireland after dogs.

During the month of May, Petmania is celebrating all things cat and encouraging customers and other pet owners in Ireland to seek the best health care and advice when it comes to their feline friends. From instore offers on cat food and litter, to scheduled visits from local cat rescue centres, Petmania’s local communities will have the chance to meet and rescue their newest family members throughout the month.

The dedicated cat month at Petmania is in line with the brand’s overall core mission to show that every pet deserves quality care.

Speaking about this month’s campaign, Petmania’s spokesperson and feline-friend Emily Miller, says:

“Here at Petmania we know that having a cat in your life can lead to many questions – from wondering what to feed your kitten, when to get them neutered and everything else that you will encounter over your cat’s potential twenty years. This month we are celebrating all things feline and are delighted to be teaming up with a number of local cat rescue centres across the country to help promote responsible cat care.

We want to help ease the pressures put on our cat rescue centres and are urging pet owners to neuter their cats. Having an accidental litter can be stressful, time-consuming and most importantly unfair on the cats and kittens. Neutering can also reduce the risk of cancers and other diseases.

For anyone thinking of getting a cat, or for cat-parents with questions about their cat’s health and wellbeing, our pet care experts at Petmania stores nationwide are available seven days a week to help.”

Cats become sexually mature when they are between four to five months old. In general, owners are advised to neuter cats from six months of age but exceptions can be made to do them sooner. Local veterinarians can help advise owners on the best time for their kitten.

Speaking about their visit to the local store this month, a spokesperson from SERA Husky Animal Rescue said:

“We are delighted to be working with Petmania and their team of pet care experts to help celebrate cat month in local stores. May marks the start of kitten season, which runs to September and is commonly the time period when most kittens are born. If people avoid routine procedures such as neutering it can result in high numbers of unwanted litters being born, which means increased and unnecessary pressure on rescue centres like ourselves.

We are urging pet owners to be mindful and responsible. We would love to see an increase in the number of owners getting cats neutered. Cats can become pregnant from four months old so neutering ensures you will never have an unplanned litter of kittens to care for and will ease the strain on other local cat rescues across the country.”

For anyone thinking about getting a cat, SERA Husky Animal Rescue will be in-store Petmania in Tralee on Saturday, May 13th, where local families can come along to meet the volunteers and find out more about how they can give a cat or kitten in need their forever home.

Petmania also has a free online cat care advice centre available at www.petmania.ie which is packed with information and advice.

Petmania stores across Ireland will see the following rescue centres visiting local stores, where pet-owners and potential cat families can meet volunteers and find out more about how they can give a cat or kitten in need their forever home.