Calling Maroondah Cat Owners!
The Council and Animal Aid have teamed up to provide Maroondah pet owners with access to free divestment, microchips and health checks for their cats as part of a program to curb the growing number of unwanted litters.
To participate in the Free Desexing Program, cat owners must be in possession of a current health or pension card and be a resident of Maroondah.
The Free Feline Desexing Program aims to combat animal homelessness by helping to reduce the number of unwanted pets in the community and includes de-sex, microchips and health checks for female and male cats.
There are half a million stray cats in Victoria, and their numbers continue to increase as stray cats breed.
Maroondah Deputy Mayoress Cr Nora Lamont said that only one female cat and her offspring could produce up to 5,000 cats in seven years if she were not sexed.
“The council is excited to work with Animal Aid to provide this free program that has the potential to prevent 316,000 unwanted cats and kittens from entering our community over a four-year period,” said Cr Lamont.
“This initiative has benefits for our entire community, including helping residents with the cost of de-sexing their cats, reducing the nuisance of wild cats and their impact on our native wildlife, and reducing the cost of the council for collecting lost or found wandering cats, “she said called.
“Not only does divestment help prevent fewer unwanted animals and accidental litters, but research also shows that diseased animals can lead longer and healthier lives,” added Cr Lamont.
Animal Aid CEO Mark Menze said cost alone can be a huge hurdle for people when making the decision to de-sex their pets.
“This program will allow our community to access sex and health services with no financial impact,” said Menze.
“Every year we see kittens having kittens. Cats can become pregnant as early as four months of age. This cycle has the potential to grow exponentially, so it is important that our community disexer their pets, ”he said.
Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and all appointments must be booked through the Animal Aid Veterinary Clinic at 9739 0500.
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