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Practices mobilized against feline overpopulation
March 5, 2026
Last February, the teams from Clinique vétérinaire St-André, St-Paul, and Bedford joined forces for the Opération Chats de Grange (Barn Cat Operation) in partnership with the organization Cabane à Chat. Two days marked by collaboration, generosity, and a tangible impact on feline welfare in our region.
On February 21, 20 cats (10 females and 10 males) were spayed and neutered by a volunteer veterinarian from Clinique vétérinaire Bedford, accompanied by RVTs from the team, support staff from Clinique vétérinaire St-Paul, three veterinary medicine students, and members from two external practices outside the network. The team at Clinique vétérinaire Bedford issued a call for volunteers to take part in the Opération Chats de Grange (Barn Cat Operation) day and to support the organization Cabane à Chat in sterilizing farm cats.
This collective momentum led to a true community effort.
“For our team, participating in stray cat sterilization programs, particularly in community initiatives such as Opération Chats de Grange, is an approach that directly reflects our professional and human values.
Sterilization is one of the most effective, sustainable, and responsible ways to combat feline overpopulation. By intervening upstream, we help prevent unwanted litters, reduce pressure on shelters, and concretely improve the wellbeing of cats living outdoors.
Beyond the demographic impact, these interventions also improve the animals’ health and quality of life: reduced fighting, injuries, transmissible diseases, and reproduction-related behaviors. Each sterilized cat represents one more step toward a more stable, healthier feline population that is better integrated into its environment.
For our team, these programs are also a valuable opportunity to become actively involved in the community. They foster collaboration between professionals, volunteers, and citizens, and reinforce our role as a frontline partner in animal health and prevention.”
– Nadine Héroux, Practice Manager at Clinique vétérinaire St-Paul, Bedford and Cowansville
For Nadine Héroux, this commitment goes far beyond the medical aspect:
“Getting involved in stray cat sterilization programs is, for us, much more than a medical act: it is a concrete commitment to animal protection, public health, and collective responsibility in addressing feline overpopulation.”
On February 25, the team at Clinique vétérinaire St-André participated in the Opération Chats de Grange (Barn Cat Operation) for the very first time. The veterinarians involved, Dr. Djessica Déchamplain and Dr. Paula Penna, accompanied by RVTs from the team, sterilized five cats that day.
“For our team, being involved in the community is not just a good intention: it is a core value. Every day, we have the privilege of caring for animals in the region, supporting their families, and contributing to the well-being of our neighbors. That is why participating in local initiatives such as the Barn Cat Operation feels like a natural fit.”
– The team at Clinique vétérinaire St-André
A thoughtful commitment rooted in rural reality
“Behind this action lies a reality well-known in our rural communities: barn cats are often essential to farm life, but they reproduce quickly, sometimes without owners having the resources or time needed to intervene. In just a few seasons, a small population can grow into a large group, leading to uncontrolled births, sick, hungry, injured cats… and unfortunately, situations where euthanasia may become the only option for unwanted kittens.
Our participation in this operation is motivated by a simple conviction: prevention is better than cure. Beyond providing care, this project reflects who we are as a team: committed individuals who want to make a real difference. Offering our time and expertise on a volunteer basis is our way of giving back to a community that trusts us every day.
By participating in the Opération Chats de Grange, we are taking concrete action for animal welfare and for the future: less suffering, fewer unwanted births, and more compassion in our region. We are proud to be part of this initiative, and even prouder to experience it together as a team.”
– The team at Clinique vétérinaire St-André
This commitment continues elsewhere in our network. The team at Hôpital vétérinaire Rawdon also held a sterilization clinic in February to support its community through the organization Chats sans toi-t. Ten cats were sterilized there as well, helping to curb feline overpopulation.
Together, these actions are weaving a true movement of prevention and compassion at the regional level.