October 26, 2020
The RSPCA says its desexing campaign, Operation Wanted, has been successful despite initial fears it could be badly affected by by COVID-19.
A spokesperson said total of 155 veterinary practices took part across Queensland, nearly 50 fewer than last year, but the number of animals registered actually increased – up from 12,063 in 2019 to 16,740 in 2020.
A total of 6478 cats were desexed: 2794 male and 3684 female; 10,261 dogs were done: 5063 male and 5198 female.
In the South Burnett, numbers were down by 22 per cent but there were still 153 animals desexed under the program: 69 dogs and 84 cats.
Participating vets reduce their desexing fees by 25 per cent from June 1 to August 1.
The RSPCA spokesperson said the age at which female cats are desexed is an important measure because female cats aged six months and over will have reached puberty and are likely to be pregnant or have had a litter before desexing occurs.
A frightening 68 per cent of female cats in the campaign this year fitted into this category across Queensland.
Vets urge owners to desex female cats before they reach six months of age.
