10 Years In: Why Feline Fix by Five Still Matters
In January 2016, a group of veterinary leaders came together to address a critical question: When should kittens be spayed or neutered to best protect their health and prevent unintended litters?
The answer was clear. Grounded in decades of clinical experience and population data, the resulting veterinary consensus recommended sterilization before five months of age. That guidance became the foundation of Feline Fix by Five.
Ten years later, the science hasn’t changed — but the gap between knowledge and practice remains.
Progress, With Work Still to Do
Feline Fix by Five is now widely endorsed by leading veterinary organizations and embraced across animal welfare, particularly in shelters and community cat programs. Early spay/neuter has become standard in many settings.
Yet most cats seen in general veterinary practice are still not sterilized before six months of age.
That delay matters. When kittens leave clinics intact — even with follow-up plans — life intervenes. Appointments are missed, access becomes a barrier, and kittens reach sexual maturity before surgery can happen. The result is preventable litters that contribute to:
Increased shelter intake
Strain on rescue and foster networks
Ongoing cat overpopulation
Early sterilization isn’t about rushing care. It’s about aligning everyday practice with what we already know works — for cats, caregivers, and communities.
Feline Fix by Five Is the Norm We’re Building
From the beginning, Feline Fix by Five was never meant to be a niche or shelter-only initiative. It is about shifting expectations — making pediatric sterilization the default, supported standard of care for kittens everywhere.
Norm change takes time, consistency, and participation from veterinarians, animal welfare organizations, and cat guardians alike.
Take Action for Community Cats
Check out our Community Cats Advocacy page and learn how Ohio Animal Advocates is advancing humane, effective solutions for community cats.
Learn more about our partners, United Spay Alliance, and their Feline Fix by Five campaign
