Desexing

Thousands of healthy cats have to be euthanased (put to sleep) each year in Victoria, because not enough homes can be found for them. We have an ‘oversupply’ of cats.

Many cats are bred by accident, because owners don’t get around to desexing their pets. Even owners who breed pets on purpose may still have trouble finding homes for all the kittens.

Cats can have their first litter when they are as young as 6 months of age.

If you own a cat and do not intend to breed from it, have it desexed. Cats can safely be desexed at around three months of age (animal shelters routinely desex cats from as young as 2 months old).

Benefits of desexing

• Desexing will help your cat live a longer and healthier life. Desexing prevents cats from getting some types of cancer. Desexing reduces cats’ desire to roam and therefore their risk of being hit by cars or involved in fights. On average, a desexed cat lives for 12-15 years, compared to only 3 years for an entire cat.
• Cats that are not desexed cause most pet nuisance problems in the community. For example, they will mark their territory by spraying strong smelling urine in houses and gardens. They also create noise when fighting and yowling.
• Best of all, desexing your cat means you are helping solve the problem of unwanted pets in society.

There are a number of myths about desexing, which are untrue. For more information, see FAQs.

Some councils help pensioners or health care card holders with the cost of pet desexing. Animal shelters also undertake low cost desexing. Contact your local council or animal shelter for more information.