TOO MANY ANIMALS TO CARE FOR?

• There are too many cats and kittens and not enough homes.
• Kittens can be pregnant by 4 months of age.
• It is just as safe for a cat to be desexed at this age than at 6 months, and it is an easier operation.
• Cats can get pregnant while still feeding their kittens, so it is easier to desex them before any pregnancy can occur. If they have a litter, mother cats need to be isolated in the house away from any male cats until they wean their kittens at 6-8 weeks, then kept separately from the kittens for about 2 weeks to allow their milk to dry before desexing.
• Cats can have 3 litters a year and 4-6 kittens per litter and come on heat continuously, unlike dogs.
• Male cats need to be desexed too as they are less likely to get hit by a car or attacked while out looking for a mate. They are also 50% responsible for unwanted litters. It is a simple, low cost operation to desex a male cat.
• Anyone who breeds a litter of kittens or pups in Queensland, is now required to register as a breeder with the Queensland Government and include a Breeder ID number on the microchip of every animal sold or given away. Inspections are required by a number of Councils e.g. Gold Coast City residents who have a litter of kittens or pups must have a Breeder Permit, which involves a fee of approximatley $426 to pay for an inspection and Breeder ID number which must be displayed with any advertisement for a kitten or cat.
• By law, kittens must be desexed by the breeder prior to sale or transfer in a number if Australian cities and states to prevent accidental litters. To avoid a fine for breeding without a permit, desex your cat/dog. If you are feeding a stray cat, you should take it to a vet clinic to check for a microchip. If unowned, take full responsibility for this cat and get him/her desexed and microchipped to prevent further unwanted stray cats and kittens.

In summary: Please desex your cat, and kittens at 2- 3 months of age. If you do have a litter, desex them before you rehome them. This will save thousands of lives. A 2014 SA study showed that 22% of people don’t get around to desexing their cats before they have their first litter. Even if you find homes for your unplanned kittens, it means fewer homes available for those waiting in pounds and shelters and with rescue groups, and having to wait longer to get a home means more stress, sickness and deaths.

For your dog

• Desexed dogs are safer – less likely to roam, get into fights with other males, and hit by cars while out looking for a mate.
• Desexed dogs are healthier – there is no risk of them getting testicular cancer and decreased risk of prostate problems
• There are too many medium to larger dogs looking for homes in pounds, shelters and through rescue groups. Finding sufficient owners for these dogs can take months which is expensive for Councils, communities and charity groups, and upsetting for the dogs and their carer.

For you

• Desexed dogs are less expensive – lower registration fees, less likely to be impounded with fees to get your dog out, and less likely to need expensive veterinary treatment from roaming and getting into fights, hit by cars etc Having puppies is expensive too, and may lead to poor health and complications for your female dog.
• Desexing makes no difference to whether a dog is a good watchdog. It all depends on the breed type and personality of the dog, not on whether they are desexed.
• Dogs desexed early also avoid learning adult sexual behaviours such as fighting for territory, excessive urine marking and resource-protection aggression.