Cost cut for cat desexing

BENDIGO Animal Relief Centre has been given a State Government grant to offer free desexing for cats owned by some residents.

BARC has received just over $15,000 to help deliver the Bendigo Community Cat Program, which aims to desex, vaccinate and register 50 cats belonging to low-income earners.

“Through the Bendigo Community Cat Program we are aiming to provide an affordable service to residents that will increase the number of micro-chipped, desexed, and registered cats in the community,” said Fra Atyeo, operations manager at BARC.

Minister for agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas said BARC is one of 21 organisations to receive a Pet Desexing Grant as part of the first round of a $1.5 million program aiming to desex over 4000 cats and 650 dogs.

“These grants will ensure Victoria’s most vulnerable pet owners can access free or low-cost desexing and help limit the numbers of unwanted cats and dogs in shelters across the state,” she said.

“The funding is an important step to support councils and not-for-profit organisations to provide critical desexing services and improve animal welfare outcomes for our much-loved pets.”

The desexing grants are part of the Animal Welfare Fund Grants Program which is designed to promote responsible pet ownership across the state.