Just two months ago, we rescued another stray kitten who we've named Zoe; she was six weeks old. This makes 2 males, 4 females, all saved, and all but the newest are fixed. They never go out unsupervised.

The oldest female was quite friendly and playful when she was a baby. After being fixed, however, she lost all that. She hates being held, she's afraid of the slightest threat, and hides under the bed when company comes.

The second-oldest female was found abandoned and starving at about a year old. She was already fixed when we found her. She avoids the cats older than her, and torments the cats younger than her, so she has no friends. I can only hold her for maybe 10-15 seconds at a time. My wife, not at all.

The third-youngest was rescued at about 12 weeks, and was already skittish. After she was fixed, she's also become a bed-hider, and sometimes runs away when I simply walk into the room just because she's scared of the noise (I'm a big guy).

Well Zoe -- now about 12 weeks -- has fit right in. She gets along with everyone else (except Sheena, who I mentioned), is very playful, is showing signs of good intelligence, loves to be held, and will cuddle on your lap.

Our problem is that we're afraid getting her fixed will change her temperament like we've experienced and heard so much from others. Since we've never had an unfixed cat before, we don't know what would be worse: the behavior changes, or the screeching and possible (pardon if I'm being crude) mess of not fixing.

Thanks for your input!