So far, 171 cats have been desexed and microchipped over six sessions through the joint RSPCA South Australia and City of Onkaparinga initiative, which started in September and aims to desex 2000 cats over the next two years.
Sessions take place at RSPCA’s Lonsdale shelter, with the desexing program team made up of dedicated and highly trained staff and volunteers.
Two more booked-out November sessions remain in 2020, but City of Onkaparinga cat owners are encouraged to add their name and contact details to the waiting list to be notified when new appointments become available (likely from March 2021).
You can also access desexing, microchipping and a full range of veterinary services at your local clinics at any time, however this is not in conjunction with the program.
RSPCA South Australia Veterinary Clinical Services Manager, Dr Gayle Kothari, said RSPCA is very pleased with the program’s progress so far.
“We’re delighted that City of Onkaparinga residents have been booking out every clinic on offer and it’s great to see people taking further steps towards responsible cat management,” Dr Kothari said.
“It’s still very early days, as we have only desexed and microchipped eight per cent of our 2000-cat target.
“We’d like to remind residents that it’s a two-year program, and to register their details on our waiting list to be notified when new appointments open.”
When appointments become available, residents can book online through the RSPCA South Australia website.
The landmark initiative, aimed at combating cat overpopulation, is funded by RSPCA through a $200,000 donation from a single donor, and $50,000 from the City of Onkaparinga.
The two organisations are working together to promote the three core elements of responsible cat ownership – desex, microchip and ‘indoors at night’.