The RSPCA Wiltshire Mid Branch will be offering local cat owners help with the cost of neutering and, if undertaken in the same operation, micro-chipping, their pets to mark this year’s World Spay Day.
World Spay Day (now in its 25th year) falls on Tuesday 25th February. It is recognised by animal charities in nearly 70 countries worldwide.
In the UK the RSPCA and Cats Protection will join forces with several other well-known names to promote spaying/neutering programmes in order to improve the health and welfare of many hundreds of cats. Recent research has shown that 68% of litters of kittens in the UK are unplanned – and that some of these litters are born to cats which are just four months old.
Andrew Sheppard, RSPCA Wiltshire Mid Branch chairman said, “Cats can get pregnant while they are still kittens, which is why we advise that cats are spayed before they are four months old. It is worth remembering that cats and kittens will mate with other family members.
“Spaying, which is also known as neutering, fixing or being ‘done’ can prevent this and can also protect your pet from developing potentially deadly diseases of the ovaries and uterus.
“Many people believe that cats should be allowed to have a litter of kittens before being spayed, but this simply isn’t true, as any vet will confirm.
“Male cats also benefit from being neutered. It makes them less likely to roam and fight, thereby reducing the risk of injury, infected wounds and contracting diseases, including FIV – the feline equivalent of HIV.
“When your cat has been neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped at the earliest possible date it gives you peace of mind that you have done everything you can to ensure the welfare of your pet.
“Our excellent working relationship with Cats Protection Frome and District means that by working together on this campaign and other initiatives throughout the year we can greatly improve the lives of cats in the areas of Wiltshire and Somerset that we are jointly responsible for.”
The offer of free neutering and associated micro-chipping will run from 25th February until 30th April and is open to people living in Melksham and the surrounding areas.
To find out more please go to the RSPCA Wiltshire Mid website at: www.rspca. org.uk/local/wiltshire-mid-branch/, email at rspca wiltsmid@gmail.com or telephone 07494 240622.
![Melksham Times Past
A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis
The Independent Chapel and Women’s Rights in the 1840s
A document I recently transcribed lists the baptisms performed at the Independent Chapel. This record is especially helpful in that, along with baptisms, a lot of them include birth dates - one of the ways I discover which day someone was born.
The following is taken from a Wiltshire Times article published on 9th November 1878 which reports a speech given during the 100-year services and to celebrate their renovations (what we now know to be the Rachel Fowler Centre).
One speaker, Rev. T. Mann, minister in Trowbridge, talked about the Chapel’s origins when he related how Rev. Honywill came to Melksham and how he’d gone on to remain as the minister for the Independent Chapel for almost 60 years. [Honywill and his family lived on King Street in what we now call “Legion House”.]
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.](https://scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/505444438_18038424887647822_3264519508333556874_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=gXZQJoHTNiEQ7kNvwHezuPI&_nc_oc=AdlrJvMDapuork_EjycPOcegNeMnCA37GEIudkxkTeCfTgvB5iijE05ojpwlYCd5gN8&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=0ZY31jxOGx2M8z1ZqYNvEg&oh=00_AfPY_C0B8EndpVcx78sVp9qVJgtm368WREf36ZX1_jO3mg&oe=6855C74A "Melksham Times Past
A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis
The Independent Chapel and Women’s Rights in the 1840s
A document I recently transcribed lists the baptisms performed at the Independent Chapel. This record is especially helpful in that, along with baptisms, a lot of them include birth dates - one of the ways I discover which day someone was born.
The following is taken from a Wiltshire Times article published on 9th November 1878 which reports a speech given during the 100-year services and to celebrate their renovations (what we now know to be the Rachel Fowler Centre).
One speaker, Rev. T. Mann, minister in Trowbridge, talked about the Chapel’s origins when he related how Rev. Honywill came to Melksham and how he’d gone on to remain as the minister for the Independent Chapel for almost 60 years. [Honywill and his family lived on King Street in what we now call “Legion House”.]
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.")
