A joint initiative has been set up in a bid to start to tackle the number of unwanted cats in Tendring.

Tendring District Council (TDC) and Cats Protection are working together to make it easier for owners on low incomes to get their pets neutered.

Council Dog Warden Beverley Wallis approached Cats Protection for help and it responded with £500 worth of vouchers for the rest of this month.

It is also looking to set aside a further budget for neutering vouchers for Tendring for 2012, again at no cost to the Council.

Nick Turner, TDC's Cabinet Member for the Environment, said that having a cat neutered is an essential part of cat ownership.

"The procedure has many health benefits as well as helping to reduce the amount of unwanted cats," he said.

"They are less likely to roam, fight, contract serious diseases, and call out or wail.

"The wardens will be distributing the vouchers to residents who are in receipt of benefits and living in deprived wards by the end of December when they must be used."

Owners can then take them to their local vets where the vouchers will cover the neutering costs which are between £50 and £80.

Cllr Turner said the Council will review the situation next year when Cat Protection decides the budget for Tendring.

Last year Cat Protection helped to neuter 176,000 cats across the country.

15/12/11