Did you know that female cats can reproduce up to three times a year, from the time they are four months old?
That means she could have up to 200 kittens in her lifetime.
Corangamite Shire Council is offering concession card holders discounts for cat desexing at participating vet clinics.
“The discount offered is $200 per female cat or $120 per male cat, which is a significant cost saving,” Council Community Safety and Resilience Coordinator Belinda Bennett said.
“Desexing your cat will prevent multiple litters of kittens and help to reduce feral cat numbers,”
“Roaming and feral cats can spread disease to other cats and people.
“Each year they kill large numbers of native birds and animals.
"We know that many people in the Shire feed stray cats, so this is a good opportunity to get these semi-owned cats desexed to prevent them from breeding.”
The Cat Desexing program is supported by the Victorian Government.
It will end on 30 September or earlier if all funding is spent.
To be eligible, householders must have a concession card, be a Corangamite resident and their cat must be microchipped and registered, or be willing become microchipped and registered at the time of desexing.
“Successful applicants will need to contact the participating vet clinic nominated on their application form to book a desexing appointment,” Ms Bennett said.
“The discount will be applied to the vet bill for the desexing.
“You will need to pay the clinic for any additional costs above the discount amount.
Ms Bennett said Council offers a significant discount for registration of desexed animals.
“By law, all cats must be microchipped and registered by the age of three months.
“Ensuring your cat is microchipped and registered allows them to be reunited quickly if they are lost.
“Some vets offer a discount if you microchip your cat while it is getting desexed.
“Registration must be renewed annually by 10 April.”
Four vet clinics in Corangamite Shire are participating in this desexing program: