Rachel, you have some very mistaken notions about cats. I can tell you love your kitty and want to do the right thing and take the best care of him that you know how. Another right thing is to learn ACCURATE information about cats, right now you are repeating rumors and old folks tales and things you heard who-knows-where. It's past time to get some good cat books and learns some facts about cats. Although I recommend the book 'Think Like a Cat' I wish I also knew of a book that was more concentrated on detailed basics about housecats, ferals, and strays to recommend to you also. You might like 'The Tribe of Tiger' if you can find it - maybe at a library.

He needs to be neutered. You may be able to stop or slow down his spraying in the house after he is neutered by alot of cleaning and use of the spray Feliway (for 4-6 months at least).

Even if neutering doesn't stop the spraying it will LOWER his risk of prostate enlargement and cancers, and anal and rectal tumors, as well as make him more social.

And even if neutering doesn't stop the spraying it will, as you noted, stop the obsessive drive to mate and roam. For you the consequences of this drive could be to not have a cat anymore, as you feared in his 12 day spree. But elsewhere it results in pregnant cats and kittens who may have no home and no nice person to sleep with - they may have ended up euthanized at an overcrowded shelter or just killed by a raccoon or dog or owl - there are other consequences besides those in your home.

Also, in response to the other post, male cats don't just spray to attract mates. They can spray due to urethral irritation, bladder problem, behavioral/ stress reasons, and mostly to mark their territory. Another good reason to control spraying is so the owner can tell if there IS a urinary problem instead of having it hidden under all that spray!!