By Melissa Coleman
Warwick Town and Country Vets and Southern Downs Regional Council have joined forces with the National Desexing Network (NDN) to deliver low-cost desexing for eligible cat owners.
The program targets the overpopulation of cats to help reduce the number of abandoned animals in pounds and shelters.
The desexing program is run by NDN free of charge to the Southern Downs Regional Council; however, a small fee of $50 per animal is required by the owner.
SDRC committed $30,000 to its cat management plan with an undisclosed amount to help reduce the number of abandoned animals in pounds and shelters.
If you adopt a stray cat or own three cats or more, regardless of your income, you can also apply for low-cost desexing.
To apply, you need to call the NDN, and if you satisfy the eligibility criteria, they will send a voucher electronically.
The council has determined that you will need to provide proof of residence by showing a rates notice or a rental lease agreement.
You then have one month to get your cat desexed however they may extend the life of the voucher in certain circumstances.
The cat management plan funding continues until it’s exhausted, so get in early, as there’s no guarantee it will be renewed.
In May this year, Southern Downs Ark Inc. petitioned the Council to establish a low-cost community desexing scheme to make desexing of cats affordable to residents.
The National Desexing Network phone number is 1300 368 992.
