Helping Pets volunteers are constantly promoting the importance of neutering for all cats, however with the rise in cat ownership since Covid and the current Cost of Living Crisis we have noticed a significant reduction in the number of owners able to afford to get their cats neutered. This is leading to a huge increase in the number of unwanted litters and stray / feral cats. This has a number of negative consequences : • The charity is having to deal with an increasing number of unwanted cats needing to be rehomed • The charity of also now seeing an increase in the number of feral cats often in urban areas • Owners are struggling to deal with the unwanted behaviour of a unneutered cat which has a negative impact on the owners mental health. The cost of dealing with these unneutered cats in putting a significant strain on the charity’s funds and the time and effort of our volunteers. The aim of this project is to focus on areas of Newcastle upon Tyne recognised as having high levels of deprivation and working with local vets and community groups to offer free or heavily subsidised neutering to cat owners, along with support to overcome other barriers to neutering their cat, such as transport, access to cat carriers etc. The positive contact with cat owners through this will also enable volunteers to offer advice and support on other areas of cat ownership which we believe will improve the experience of people owning cats as well as the welfare of the cats.