Maroondah cat owners offered free desexing, microchipping and health checks for pets

Calling Maroondah cat owners!

Council and Animal Aid have teamed up to offer Maroondah pet owners access to free desexing, microchipping and health checks for their cats as part of a program to curb the growing number of unwanted litters.

To be eligible for the Free Desexing Program, cat owners must hold a current Health Care or Pension Card and reside in Maroondah.

The Free Feline Desexing Program aims to address animal homelessness by helping to reduce the number of unwanted pets in the community, and includes desexing, microchipping and health checks for female as well as male cats.

There are half a million stray cats in Victoria, and their numbers continue to increase as strays breed.

Deputy Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Nora Lamont said that if left undesexed, just one female cat and her offspring could produce up to 5000 cats in seven years.

“Council is excited to partner with Animal Aid to deliver this free program, which has the potential to prevent 316,000 unwanted cats and kittens in our community over four years,” Cr Lamont said.

“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, as well as reducing Council’s cost to collect cats found lost or wandering,” she said.

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

Animal Aid CEO Mark Menze said cost alone can be a huge barrier for people when making the decision to desex their pets.

“This program will allow our community to access desexing and health services without the financial implications,” Mr Menze said.

“Every year we see kittens having kittens. From only four months of age felines can become pregnant. This cycle has the potential to increase exponentially, so it is important that our community desex their pets,” he said.

Places will be filled on a first come, first served basis, and all appointments must be booked via the Animal Aid Veterinary Clinic on 9739 0500.

If you have a problem with stray cats in your area, please contact Council on 1300 88 22 33 for advice and assistance.