Mobile solution for ‘kitten season’

AAPS manager Natasha Marginis with a shelter''s cat earlier this year. 170515_05

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A charitable animal shelter is seeking funds for a low-cost mobile pet-desexing service in Greater Dandenong.

Under state planning laws, Australian Animal Protection Society does not have a permit to operate a commercial veterinary surgery at its temporary base in industrial Dandenong South.

Without a commercial vet, the shelter is deprived of vital income.

It is also unable to offer low-cost desexing to help tackle an epidemic of stray and unwanted cats. Its $55 service was just a third of the price for other commercial vets.

Last year, the shelter – Greater Dandenong’s only one – housed 2500 cats and 600 dogs.

“In any day, we could get up to 30 kittens handed in,” AAPS president Megan Seccall said.

Ahead of ‘kitten season’, the society has set up a Go Fund Me crowdfunding site in its hope to raise $100,000 for a mobile desexing service.

Within two years, the society expects to set up a permanent shelter and vet service in Bangholme.

It had recently moved from its Keysborough site after it was acquired by the State Government to create a badly-needed state school.

To help, go to https://www.gofundme.com/ausanimalprotectionsetupvetfacility