Fixing a stray problem

GREATER Dandenong Council is hoping residents can get the knack of a simple solution to reducing the number of animals impounded and put down each year.
August is National Desexing Month and city mayor Peter Brown said the national Desexing Network in conjunction with local vets, refuges and the council was urging residents to have their dogs and cats desexed “to stop the senseless waste of life”.
“Our figures are consistent with other municipalities across the state. While the number of animals being impounded in the city has decreased, there are still too many cats and dogs that have not been desexed, registered and microchipped,” he said.
“The best things people can do to help are to desex animals as early as possible. In most cases, this can be done at three months of age.”
Cr Brown said microchipping could also help with the return of animals.
“Also, keep your animals confined to the property at all times to avoid unwanted litters or complaints of nuisance behaviour.”
Cr Brown said putting down animals had a tough impact on those who euthanased them.
“We should also stop for a moment and think about the pound workers who have the task of putting down all these otherwise healthy animals simply because people have failed to do the responsible thing and desex.”
The Australian Animal Protection Society in Keysborough is this month taking $10 off an already discounted desexing cost.
The society is located at 10 Homeleigh Road, Keysborough and can be contacted on 9798 8415.