Trouble by the litter

Noosa Council wants pet owners to get their pets desexed.

By JONATHON HOWARD

NOOSA Council has joined the Sunshine Coast Council’s campaign to curb unwanted dog and cat litters.
Hundreds of unwanted cats and dogs move from pounds to animal welfare shelters each year – many due to unplanned breeding.
Community Programs Councillor Jenny McKay said Sunshine Coast Council was calling on owners to desex their pet(s) now and take advantage of multiple benefits.
“The council is a strong supporter and financial contributor to the RSPCA’s Operation: Wanted program offering a 20 per cent discount off desexing and microchipping procedures at participating vets coast-wide until 31 August, plus the chance to win prizes,” Cr McKay said.
“It’s also perfect timing for animal owners to further benefit from this promotion with animal registration renewals due in September, as owners of desexed and microchipped cats and dogs receive a significant discount for registering their pets.
“But the most important factor is about being a responsible pet owner and helping to reduce more than 400 unwanted, unloved cats and dogs that are moved through our pound to local animal welfare shelters every year.
“And it is thanks to the likes of Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge, 4Paws and RSPCA that these innocent pets have a second chance at a forever home.
“Operation: Wanted’s mission is to ensure every puppy and kitten in Queensland has a loving home to go and to achieve this by encouraging people to desex their pets and reduce unplanned breeding.”
The six participating vets in the Sunshine Coast Council region are Woombye Veterinary Surgery, Maleny District Vet Surgeons, Chancellor Park Veterinary Surgery, Kawana Waters Veterinary Surgery, Currimundi Veterinary Surgery and Greencross Vets Caloundra.
The major prize is a pet-friendly holiday – seven nights at the Coolum QRI Lifestyle Holiday units on the Sunshine Coast, plus $500 spending money. There is also a $1200 fuel voucher to be won in each participating region.
Entry forms are available at the participating vets following your pet’s operation.
The nine council regions involved in Operation: Wanted are Bundaberg, Gympie, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, North Burnett, South Burnett, Toowoomba and Townsville.
While only a trial, if successful, it may be expanded state-wide next year.