A low-cost neutering scheme to support pet owners and tackle the increasing population of unwanted felines has reached a milestone achievement this World Spay Day (25 February) of neutering its 200,000th cat.
C4, now led by animal welfare charities Battersea, Cats Protection, RSPCA and SNIP, was set up in 1999 to subsidise the cost of neutering and help control the growing cat population in and around London through low-cost neutering vouchers. Provided at local veterinary practices, the voucher has since expanded to also include a microchip, which recently became a legal requirement for all owned cats in England.
Now in its 26th year of operation, the scheme has helped more than 200,000 cats and their owners. To mark the occasion, the charities involved are highlighting the importance of neutering cats to avoid unwanted pregnancies and support overall feline health and welfare.
In 2024, Battersea saw the highest number of cats needing its help in the last five years, including a growing number of strays and young litters as a result of unwanted pregnancies. Cats Protection’s CATS (Cats and Their Stats) Report 2023 found that there are around 11 million owned cats in the UK with around 26% of UK households owning a cat.
One-year-old Nik Nak was brought to Battersea after being found as a heavily pregnant stray and gave birth to a litter of kittens shortly after her arrival. To give them the round the clock care they needed and help get them ready for their next chapter, Nik Nak and her kittens were cared for by one of Battersea’s dedicated foster carers in their own home. After learning about each cat’s individual quirks and needs, they were expertly matched to new owners and have all since gone to loving new homes. Nik Nak was neutered by Battersea’s veterinary team before going home and has been enjoying her new life in Berkshire, happily receiving all the love and fuss she can get from her new owners.
JoAnna Puzzo, Feline Behaviour and Training Manager at Battersea, said: “Neutering is an incredibly important consideration for cat owners, not only to prevent roaming behaviour often seen in unneutered cats and female cats having accidental litters, but also to help reduce the risk of disease transmission and future health challenges, allowing for healthier and happier pets. Through jointly funding the C4 scheme with our sector peers, we are able to help even more cats beyond our gates and support owners with the cost of neutering to improve the welfare cats in and around London.”
Alison Richards, Chief Veterinary Officer at Cats Protection, said: “At Cats Protection we are excited to be collaborating with Battersea as part of the C4 group, to support the welfare of cats across the London region. Targeted neutering programmes, such as C4, not only offer a positive welfare intervention for those individual cats receiving support with neutering but help us work towards creating a more balanced cat population, where every cat experiences a good quality of life.”
Ian MacFarlaine, Operations Development Manager for C4 at RSPCA Central London Branch, added: “We are grateful for the funding and partnership contributions of Battersea, Cats Protection, the National RSPCA and its local branches and SNIP, in continuing to fund this scheme into 2025 and beyond; and to the many veterinary practices within the M25 who deliver the scheme for us. Talking to vets regularly, it is clear that without the C4 scheme many cats would not get neutered, or would only get neutered after having a litter first.”
To find out more about the C4 scheme, visit: https://www.c4cats.info/
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For further information, images or interviews please contact press@battersea.org.uk.
Notes to editors
C4 is also known as the Capital Cat Care Campaign
About Battersea
- Battersea neuters every dog and cat in their care before they are rehomed; last year, the charity neutered 1,455 cats across its three centres.
- At Battersea we offer our love and expert care to dogs and cats who need us by rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals at our centres, and by sharing our knowledge and resources with other organisations around the world. We do this because we want to help every dog and cat, everywhere.
- In 2023 Battersea directly cared for 2,529 dogs and 2,450 cats at our three centres. We also helped thousands more through campaigning work, supporting other rescues and animal welfare advocates, and sharing knowledge and advice with pet owners.
- Battersea has three centres based in London; Old Windsor, Berkshire; and Brands Hatch, Kent.
- To find out more visit our website or follow Battersea on X @battersea_, Instagram @battersea or facebook.com/Battersea.
About Cats Protection
- Cats Protection, the UK’s leading cat welfare charity, helped 184,000 cats and kittens in 2023 through its national network which includes around 200 volunteer-run branches and 32 centres. That’s the equivalent of helping around 500 cats a day.
- Cats Protection, helped neuter 157,000 cats and kittens in 2023 and continued to promote the benefits of neutering.
- There are around 11 million owned cats in the UK, with around 26% of UK households owning a cat, according to the CATS (Cats and Their Stats) 2023 UK Report. Find lots more cat stats at cats.org.uk/stats
- Cats Protection was founded in 1927 as the Cats Protection League. We ask that you use the name Cats Protection when referring to the charity.
- Cats Protection is a registered charity 203644 (England and Wales), SC037711 (Scotland) and is listed as a Section 167 Institution by the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (06772997). Registered office National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath, Sussex. Visit the charity’s media centre.
About RSPCA
- The RSPCA was founded in 1824 and is the world's oldest and largest animal welfare charity. They rescue animals from neglect and cruelty, rehabilitate, release and rehome them.
- The RSPCA’s hardworking frontline animal rescuers, rehabilitators and animal carers all pull together to help those animals in the greatest need - without them tens of thousands of animals would suffer each and every year.
- Wherever possible, the RSPCA educate animal owners by offering advice to improve animal welfare, and in extreme cases of violence or animal neglect, investigate and consider prosecuting.
- The RSPCA campaign to raise standards of care, raise awareness of issues affecting animals and change the law to improve the welfare of animals on farms, in labs, in the wild and in our homes.
- To find out more about the RSPCA’s work, visit their website.