Dora Houpis
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.
“Because 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. The clinic has formed a partnership with one council and is hoping to set up more with other councils.
Dr Ann Enright said when they were setting up the clinic, that many people can’t afford to desex their cats.
Ms Raczynski said the clinic also provided education on cat care to pet owners.
Details: www.westsidedesexing.org.au or 9364 8742.
