Discounted cat desexing is on offer to low income residents of the District Council of Yankalilla.

The council is offering the subsidised desexing program in conjunction with the National Desexing Network and a participating vet clinic.

It is supported by a co-funding grant from the Dog and Cat Management Board to help prevent unwanted cats.

Residents on pensions or low income with too many cats, or who are adopting a stray they can’t afford to desex, will pay just $50 to desex their cat.

The National Desexing Network is managing the program and can be contacted on 1300 368 992 to check eligibility.

If eligible, residents will be issued a desexing voucher and can then contact the vet to make an appointment.

These subsidies are available while council funds last.

Mayor Simon Rothwell encourages residents in need to take advantage of this proactive program.

“This initiative helps the whole community as it reduces Council costs to collect, hold and rehome unwanted litters and helps reduce cat nuisance issues and predation on native wildlife,” he says.

“Desexing not only helps to ensure fewer unwanted animals, but research shows that desexed animals can live longer and healthier lives.”

Dr Joy Verrinder, Strategic Director of AWLQ’s National Desexing Network, urges residents to get their male and female cats desexed between 2 and 4 months of age.

She says male cats are less likely to fight, roam and spray, and female cats can become pregnant from just 4 months old and can breed continuously after that.

“Yankalilla Veterinary Clinic is the participating vet in this program for District Council of Yankalilla residents and we thank the local veterinary clinic for helping with this community service,” Dr Verrinder says.

For more information visit the National Desexing Network website.