Feline Fix by Five: How to End Kitten Season in Your Community
For decades, veterinary schools have taught that the appropriate age for spay/neuter of cats is six months of age or older. Research, however, reveals that there are significant health benefits for spay/neuter prior to five months of age. The position paper produced in 2016 by the Veterinary Task Force on Feline Spay Neuter has been endorsed by the AVMA, AAHA, AAFP, ASV, Catalyst Council, Cat Fanciers Association, Winn Feline Foundation, International Cat Association, 10 state veterinary associations, and numerous humane organizations. Unfortunately, the recommendations of the task force and the endorsements appear to be a very wellkept secret. This presentation will discuss the efforts to get the word out and provide suggestions for convincing local veterinarians to spay/neuter cats prior to five months of age.

About Dr. Philip Bushby, DVM, MS, DACVS
Philip is a 1972 graduate of the University of Illinois CVM. A boardcertified veterinary surgeon,he has served on the Mississippi State University CVM (MSUCVM) faculty for 43 years. He established the MSUCVM shelter program and is a frequent speaker on efficient spay/neuter. He was a member of the organizing committee for the shelter medicine specialty board, received the ASPCA’s Henry Berg Award in 2008, the AVMA’s Animal Welfare Award in 2012, and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians Meritorious Service Award in 2015. He holds the Marcia Lane Endowed Chair of Humane Ethics and Animal Welfare at Mississippi State University.