Cat desexing plan announced

GOLDEN Plains Shire has teamed up with the National Desexing Network and local veterinary clinics so residents in need can access a new subsidised desexing program for cats.

Community members on pensions, low income or with too many cats to afford to desex will pay the subsidised rate of $55 to desex their male cats and $65 for the first female cat and $50 for any additional female cats.

As part of the program, if cats haven’t been microchipped at the time of desexing, residents can now pay $5 to have their cat microchipped and registered for free.

Golden Plains mayor Cr Helena Kirby encouraged qualifying residents to take advantage of the subsidy.

“This initiative has benefits for our whole community, including assisting residents with the cost of desexing their cats, reducing feral cat nuisance issues and their impact on our native wildlife, and reducing council’s costs to collect, hold and rehome unwanted litters,” she said.

“Desexing not only helps to ensure fewer unwanted animals, but research shows that desexed animals can live longer and healthier lives.”

Within the region, the Golden Plains Animal Hospital, Smythesdale Animal Hospital and Bannockburn Veterinary Clinic are all set to take part in the program.

Strategic director of the National Desexing Network Dr Joy Verrinder said residents should get their male and female cats desexed between two and four months of age.

“We thank the local veterinary clinics for helping with this community service,” she said.

“Ongoing desexing programs have helped achieve zero euthanasia of all healthy and treatable stray and surrendered cats and dogs in Gold Coast City, the second largest Council in Australia.”

Residents can contact the National Desexing Network on 1300 368 992 to find out their eligibility and if approved, be issued a desexing voucher to book an appointment and take to the nearest participating vet.