IT’S National Desexing Month at the Animal Welfare League, and the team members at the local branch are encouraging pet-owners to take advantage of the discounts on offer for pensioners and low income earners desexing their cats and dogs.
There are five vets participating in the Hawkesbury and surrounding suburbs; Bligh Park Pet Health Centre, Macquarie Veterinary Hospital in Windsor, McGraths Hill Veterinary Centre, Kurrajong Veterinary Clinic, and Box Hill Veterinary Clinic are all offering assistance for pensioners and low income earners for the month of July.
The AWL is particularly encouraging the desexing of cats and kittens, as the number of unwanted and unloved cats and kittens around the area is rising.
Cheryl Conway-Pearce, president of AWL NSW Hawkesbury Valley branch, said the problem is “huge”.
“This year being one of the worst years experienced by our branch and the Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter,” she told the Gazette.
“Due to the high numbers of cats and kittens surrendered and the subsequent overcrowding in the shelter there was an outbreak of cat flu and feline enteritis, many kittens dying and a high rate of euthanasia.
“Our branch and other rescue groups in the area have been pushed to the limit.”
Over 350 cats and kittens were desexed in the Hawkesbury during National Desexing Month last year, and AWL hopes to match that figure this year.