Targeting 1,000 cats in Western Sydney … Snip Snip Hooray!
As part of National Desexing Month, Animal Welfare League NSW (AWL) is aiming to desex 1,000 cats and kittens in Western Sydney this month, and has reduced prices to just $30.
Throughout July, AWL will be offering pensioners and low-income workers assistance with the cost of desexing their cats and is encouraging all pet owners to act responsibly by having their cats and dogs spayed or neutered.
As an incentive for local residents in their areas, AWL’s Hawkesbury and Western Suburbs Branches in Sydney will reduce the cost of desexing a cat during July to only $30 including a microchip – a reduction of up to 80% on the usual cost.
The AWL Hawkesbury and Western Suburbs Branches have a joint goal to desex 1,000 cats this month, and are supported by their local councils – targeting Penrith, Hawkesbury, Blacktown, Liverpool, Auburn and Parramatta as part of the desexing drive.
“Sydney’s Western Suburbs has one of the highest euthanasia rates in the state, which makes it even more critical for us to reduce the number of unwanted kittens being born” says Helen Powderly, AWL’s Branch Coordinator.
“In the coming warmer months, our shelters and branches will be inundated with litters of kittens”, adds Helen. “Almost every animal shelter will put up the house-full sign at some time from now until late summer as the number of cats and kittens surrendered overwhelms resources.”
Just one undesexed female cat can potentially give birth to over 100 kittens during her breeding years. And if only 50% of those kittens are females who are undesexed, this can add up to an extra 5,000 cats from the same family tree in just two generations.
Animal Welfare League NSW agrees with the National Desexing Network position that it is a community responsibility to control the numbers of unwanted animals born each year. It also points out that there are several other advantages to desexing your pets – ranging from better health through to more relaxed behaviour.
For further information on how to get involved in National Desexing Month go to www.awlnsw.com.au