Need a little convincing that desexing is right for your pet? It can take just two years for one female cat and her offspring to produce around 20,000 kittens. In only five years, one female dog and her offspring can produce approximately 20,000 puppies. Many of these offspring don’t end up finding their forever homes. Some are dumped or left to fend for themselves on the streets. They become targets for cruelty, suffer from disease and starvation, and have to fight every single day for their survival. Others end up in pounds and shelters, putting greater strain on public resources.
Is your pet desexed?
When you desex your pet, you’re doing yourself, your pet and your community a big favour. Here's why;
There are many reasons why pet owners should desex their pets. As well as helping to stop pet overpopulation, the following are some of the other benefits associated with desexing cats and dogs.
Health
- Reduced risk of getting cancer or other diseases of the reproductive organs, such as testicular cancer, prostate cancer/disorders in males, and cystic ovaries, ovarian tumors, acute uterine infections and breast cancer in females, and also other diseases like mammary cancer, perianal tumors and perianal hernias.
- Females can suffer from physical and nutritional exhaustion if continually breeding.
- Pets generally live longer and healthier lives.
Behavioural
- Pets are less prone to wander, fight, and are less likely to get lost or injured.
- Reduces territorial behaviour such as spraying urine indoors.
- Less likely to suffer from anti-social behaviours. They become more affectionate and become better companions.
- Eliminates “heat” cycles in female cats and their efforts to get outside in search for a mate.
- Reduces male dogs’ urge to “mount” people’s legs.
Cost
- Reduces the cost to the community of having to care for unwanted puppies and kittens in pounds and shelters.
- No additional food or vet bills for the offspring.
- No need to find homes for unwanted or unexpected litters of puppies or kittens.
- Save money from expensive surgeries from car accidents or fights, which are less likely to occur if your pet doesn’t roam around.
- Dumping puppies and kittens is an ethical cost, as well as being illegal and inhumane.
What is the National Desexing Network?
The National Desexing Network (NDN) is an Australia-wide referral system giving pet owners in financial need access to low-cost desexing. NDN's goal is to end pet overpopulation by making desexing available and more affordable to pet owners who need it most. If you’re a pet owner you could be eligible for discounted desexing for your pet, directly on-line if you are a pension/concession card holder; or through calling our NDN team to access a Desexing program.
July is National Desexing Month
During July local veterinary clinics can register with the NDN to provide desexing services at a discounted rate. Refer to the NDN link below for more information.
National Desexing Network