Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett

Dedicated animal expert MARION GARNETT, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column

WE ALL have different things we consider important. For some it's football, for others it's fashion. But for the animal rescue centres featured here, one aspect of care consistently considered important by them all is the need for neutering of pets.

Only last Saturday, I spent the morning visiting Harry, Dora, Teddy and Freddie, four gorgeous kittens who came into the care of Hounslow Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) after their owner found it difficult to cope with the number of kittens her un-neutered cats were capable of producing.

In order to reduce the number of unwanted animals, neutering is vital. This can be done privately at a vet but, if money is scarce, here is an update on where free and reduced-cost neutering is available.

Mayhew offer a range of free and low cost neutering at their vet clinic. They neuter bull breed dogs free. For details and to book an appointment call 020 8962 8017. Alternatively, email vetclinic@mayhewanimalhome.org. Mayhew is at Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green.

The London Cat Care and Control Consortium (C4) offer free neutering of cats subject to eligibility criteria. Go to cats.org.uk/C4 and see if you are eligible, then look at the website to find a vet who participates in the scheme. If you live in the required area and have been feeding a stray cat for at least fourteen days, the cat can be neutered under the C4 scheme. Alternatively, ask your vet if they participate.

The RSPCA offer subsidised neutering in their clinic at Burket Close, Southall. For eligibility go to rspca.org.uk and type Southall clinic into the search box. The clinic also has certain days (the next one is December 5) when, if you are eligible, cats can be neutered free without appointment. Phone 0300 1230 746 option 3 for details. You can also call this number if you have several cats/ kittens and are finding it difficult to cope. They can put you in touch with the (non-judgemental) RSPCA multicat intervention team.

Dogs Trust offer neutering for £35 if you live in the London boroughs and meet their eligibility criteria. For details see dogstrust. org.uk or call their neutering hotline on 0333 202 1148.

If you meet their eligibility criteria, Blue Cross offer neutering in exchange for a contribution. For details call 0300 777 1800 for their hospital in Hammersmith.

Meanwhile, if you can home Harry or any of HAWS beautiful kittens, see haws-animals.org.uk or call 020 8560 5443.

Harry