My vet says there is an option for female cats only. they may take a shot so that they will not get pregnant for one year. then another year, you have to shot again. the shot is about RM30++... But for male cats, why not neuter? they might one day ran away from home and then came back with serious injuries. Around my area there is a male persian, i saw him losing fight with other stray and that poor guy hurts really bad during the mating season. when his owner found him, they cried. hmmm... luckily they sent him to a vet. But he make one of my stray pregnant. and also luckily the babies are very cute and got people adopt them.

Ok... my situation was LUCKY. but let say, if it isn't. The male persian lose the fight and injured badly, and died.... he make a dsh pregnant and the babies born isn't like father, but more like mother, and then nobody willing to adopt them... then this world will be full of strays....

If your partner still don't want to neuter the cat, do try to cage the male during his 'hot season'. but then, it is full of hard feelings to see the cat struggling inside the cage anyways...