National Desexing Month (NDM) launches on Saturday 1 July 2017, with almost 200 veterinarians offering reduced prices or special incentives for desexing cats and dogs to prevent unwanted litters and reduce euthanasia rates around Australia.

Currently in its 13th year, NDM is an initiative of Animal Welfare League Queensland’s (AWLQ) National Desexing Network with more than 100,000 cats and dogs being desexed since the program’s inception in 2004.

In 2016, more than 3,000 kittens and nearly 1,200 puppies were born, surrendered or dumped at one of five AWLQ Rehoming Centres in South East Queensland.  Many more don’t make it to shelters, rescue groups or pounds, and are abandoned to live and breed on the street, or around shopping centres and industrial complexes.

Throughout July, many veterinarians will offer special desexing rates to owners of cats and dogs plus pension or concession card holders. Reduced desexing prices can include: a male cat for $85 and a female cat for $120, as well as a male dog from $150 and a female dog from $180.  A list of vets participating in NDM can be located by visiting www.ndn.org.au

“AWLQ sincerely thanks veterinarians who offer this important community service. They are helping reduce the number of unwanted litters brought into pounds and shelters or abandoned to breed as feral populations each year,” Dr Joy Verrinder, AWLQ Strategic Director, said.

“This is also an opportunity for the kind people who may be feeding a stray cat or two, to immediately desex them to prevent even more homeless animals. Cats can become pregnant from four months of age, or while still weaning their kittens, which makes it particularly difficult to break the cycle of ongoing breeding of cats,” Dr Verrinder continued.

Councils are participating in NDM by displaying posters and encouraging communities to desex prior to the spring breeding season and reduce the kitten deluge from November to May each year.

“As well, Councils are becoming increasingly proactive by providing funding for desexing subsidies to assist residents in need to prevent unwanted cats and dogs.

“City of Gold Coast Council is a good example. It has been providing an annual fund for the last seven years to subsidise desexing for residents in need. In these communities, residents on low incomes can get vouchers to desex male and female cats for $35 and $55 respectively whenever it is needed all year round.

“This is less costly and more ethical than waiting until excess animals are born and subsequently impounding and killing them due to the difficulty of finding enough homes.

“All Council funding goes directly to desexing the cats and dogs of residents who would not otherwise be able to afford to desex their pets,” Dr Verrinder said.

The National Desexing Network manages and promotes these Council programs, as well as National Desexing Month, free of charge.  Councils interested in running a desexing subsidy program can contact Joy Verrinder through admin@ndn.org.au

Desexing directly benefits owners and companion animals. Cats and dogs are less likely to stray, be hit by a car or injured fighting over territory. They are often more relaxed and affectionate and generally live longer and happier lives.

ENDS.

INTERVIEWS:

For interviews, please contact Dr Joy Verrinder – AWLQ Strategic Director on 0417 788 063

MEDIA:

For media enquiries, please contact Karen Farrell – AWLQ Communications & PR Manager on

0425 275 611 / 07 55099030 or email E: communications@awlqld.com.au