Banyule Council is offering residents free cat desexing and microchipping as part of its successful two-year campaign to reduce the number of unwanted litters of kittens and stray cats.
The program was piloted in 2013 and was the first of its kind in Victoria.
The Mayor of Banyule, Councillor Craig Langdon, said the initiative has proved very successful.
“We have since been contacted by other Councils, organisations and individuals around Australia who are interested in what we are doing and the results we are getting.
“Reducing overpopulation has so many benefits for Council, residents, our native bird and animal species, and the cats themselves. While it is a staggering statistic, the RSPCA says if left undesexed, one cat and her offspring can produce up to 42,000 cats in seven years.”
Cr Langdon said the most common animal nuisance complaint received by Council was about stray cats.
“However, this program has dramatically decreased Banyule’s unwanted cat population, which has led to a reduction in the number of cats we are impounding, down from 840 cats in 2011/12 before this program started to just 481 last financial year.
“Most cat owners want to be responsible pet owners and desex their pet, but some people just can’t afford the vet bill, which is why this
program is vital.”
