Orange City Council is sponsoring a discounted desexing program for cats and dogs owned by pension card holders.
Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said Council wanted to ease the financial burden on people who owned pets and wanted to ensure the wellbeing of these pets was being considered.
“Ultimately it is the responsibility of the community to make sure their pets are microchipped, desexed and registered,” Cr Kidd said.
NEED TO BREED? : Responsible pet ownership comes at a discounted price during October.
“Council has decided to set aside some funding to help pension card holders who may be struggling financially to make sure their cat or dog receives these important procedures.”
The program is available in October to people with a pensioner concession card.
The fee for desexing, microchipping and registering a cat or dog will be $50 under the program and is available for one pet per household.
Orange City Council’s Companion Animals Committee Chair Stephen Nugent said the program was timely given many households had taken home a pet to ease the stress of the COVID-19 restrictions on movement.
“We know a lot of people, particularly pensioners, brought home a cat or a dog for company to ease the mental health burden of not being able to get out and see their friends and family,” Cr Nugent said.
“We want to ensure these pets remain in the best possible health, and can be returned to their owners if they happen to leave the property.
“There is no question that desexing your pet is better for its long-term health and well-being.”
Eligible Orange residents should visit Orange City Council’s customer service desk, from 9am Thursday 1 October, to enquire about the program.
Once the fee is paid, the pet is booked in to Canobolas Family Pet Hospital to have the procedures completed.
Funding is limited and will be allocated on a first-in basis.
