Discounted cat desexing with free microchipping is being offered to Hobsons Bay pensioners and health care card holders.
PETstock Vet Altona North and Altona Vet Clinic have teamed up with Hobsons Bay council to combat over-population of cats in the area.
Both clinics will operate on 12 cats a day on February 20 and 21.
Desexing is $52 for males and $72 for females and includes free microchipping and animal registration until April 2019.
Heavily pregnant cats will be charged an additional $40 to be put on fluids.
PETstock’s practice manager Holly Mead said cats could start breeding at just five months old.
“One female cat and her offspring can produce as many as 420,000 kittens in just seven years,” she said.
“In addition to preventing unwanted litters, desexing can result in a positive behavioral change in your cat and will also minimise the chance of your cat developing organ-related health issues that may have otherwise been detrimental to your cat’s life,” Ms Mead said.
Hobsons Bay mayor Angela Altair said the council offered discounted registration for desexed pets.
“Desexing keeps your pet safe by helping reduce incidences of fights and subsequent injuries that may need medical attention,” she said. “It also helps reduce the numbers of stray, feral and unwanted cats in our community that lead to overpopulation.
“As desexing pets has so many benefits to our pets, residents and natural wildlife, council charges a reduced fee for the registration cost of desexed pets, and also in this instance we are offering reduced fee cat desexing events to assist local residents who find veterinary costs difficult to manage.”
Bookings are necessary.
