Get your cats desexed

Dr Penny Hocking with Murray Marshmallow and Dr Jenny Wang with Ewok. (Damjan Janevski). 297795_01

Western suburbs cat owners are being encouraged to desex their cats to help reduce an ongoing problem in Melbourne’s west.

The not-for-profit Westside Community Desexing Inc in Sunshine opened in November with the aim of providing low cost desexing to help with a growing issued of cats not being desexed.

Many end up in the pound or shelters, with tens of thousands of cats being put down each year.

Veterinary nurse Livana Raczynski said the clinic had desexed 1500 cats since it opened in November last year and expected the number of cats to increase further in the west.

“They can breed quickly,” she said.

“They are companion animals and they should be safely indoors, especially if they are not desexed.”

Ms Raczynski said the clinic worked with animal rescue groups and councils.

Dr Ann Enright said many people can not afford to desex their cats.

Ms Raczynski said the clinic also provided education on cat care to pet owners.

The $150 offer is ongoing and in partnership with Melton council. Residents need to provide proof of their address to access the offer.

Details: www.westsidedesexing.org.au or 9364 8742

Dora Houpis