Kittens can be copy machines and reproduce even more kittens when the female goes into heat at the age of just four to five months old. And then, while Mom is still nursing that litter, she can get pregnant again. Before you know it, local animal shelters find themselves inundated with hundreds upon hundreds of homeless kittens.

But you can beat the heat. County Animal Services is offering increased discounts in spay/neuter coupons for cats from now through Feb. 28. They’re worth $50 more than the coupons offered year round. Cat owners can get discount coupons worth $100 toward the spaying of a female cat and $75 for the neutering of a male cat. Coupons are also available for dogs and rabbits but at the lower rate of $50 for females and $25 for males.

County shelters typically see a surge in kitten arrivals in the spring. The extra discount is meant to encourage pet owners to act now to prevent the seasonal spike.

The Animal Services’ website lists over 70 veterinarians throughout the county who will perform the surgery at a reduced fee. If the coupon is taken to one of the listed veterinarians, the cost of altering your pet can drop dramatically or even go away entirely.

The coupons are available to residents in the unincorporated areas of the County and Animal Services’ six contract cities of San Diego, Santee, Carlsbad, Solana Beach, Encinitas and Del Mar. Residents can pick up the coupons from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday at any one of the three animal care facilities or by calling (619) 767-2675. The coupons must be used within 60 days and returned to Animal Services within 30 days of being used so pet owners can be reimbursed.