SPCA expects to neuter 30,000 animals in 2year campaign

WELLINGTON: The SPCA expects to desex 30,000 animals over two years in a campaign to combat the overpopulation of dogs and cats.

A caravan is starting a twoyear journey, making stops around the East Coast of the North Island, offering free desexing and veterinary services to pet owners.

National desexing manager Rebecca Dobson said SPCA centres and animal rescues throughout the country were feeling the pressure from an inundation of animals, but the problem was particularly bad in the East Coast right now.

‘‘By desexing 15,000 animals [each year] we’re preventing 100,000 puppies and kittens from being abandoned and neglected.’’

New Zealand had a problem with ‘‘excessive uncontrolled breeding’’ of pets, which was creating widespread issues with stray and unwanted animals, the organisation said.

But for some owners, transport or the cost of desexing were barriers.

The first stops for the caravan would be Ruatoria, Te Araroa, Waihau Bay, Te Kaha, Opotiki, Tokomaru Bay and Tolaga Bay — some of which were a twohour drive from vet services, she said.

As well as desexing, the staff working from the caravan could offer microchipping, vaccinations, and flea and worm treatments for free or a koha. SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen said fewer animals were taken to be desexed during the Covid19 lockdowns, which in turn had contributed to the surge in litters.

There was also a vet shortage in New Zealand, and the SPCA was still working on finding vets and vet nurses to help provide the mobile caravan service.

The aim is to keep it going yearround and to extend its visits to areas outside East Coast.