What Is Happening In Other Countries

We are generally told that females can be neutered at around 4.5 months of age while it is advisable to wait for males to be at least 8 months before getting them castrated (to decrease the chances of having urinary problems later on due to early castration). However, vets differ on this.

This is a sharing by a reader of what is happening in Darebin, a suburb in Melbourne.

DAREBIN pet owners who follow their vet’s advice not to desex puppies and kittens until they’re five or six months old now face higher fees.

The State Government is introducing a new fee structure this week as part of broader changes that also make it compulsory for dogs and cats to be microchipped.

Previously owners could choose to microchip pets in exchange for a registration discount.

Pets are required to be registered from three months, and those not desexed will not qualify for a lower fee in most cases.

Preston’s Jane Tupps said she was dismayed to discover she would need to have puppy Bonnie desexed early or pay an extra $75.

The airedale terrier’s breeder and vet had advised Ms Tupps to wait until Bonnie was six months old.

Will this fee hike encourage owners to wait longer to register their pets?�

“We’re absolutely getting her desexed but I don’t think we need to at three months,” Ms Tupps said.

Preston Vet Clinic and Hospital veterinary surgeon Robin Zalesco said he advised clients to wait until pets were five or six months old before desexing.

“We just find their systems are better able to handle the anaesthetics at that age,” Dr Zalesco said.

Department of Primary Industries spokesman Hugo Zoller said the law was changed to reflect the fact that microchipping was now compulsory.

“Advice to the DPI is that puppies and kittens can be desexed at 12 weeks of age.”

FOR DOGS

$45.50 ($22.75 for pensioners) – if desexed, over 10 years old, registered with the Victorian Canine Association or have obedience training

$195 – if kept by a domestic animal business

$120 – for all other dogs

FOR CATS

$26 ($13 for pensioners) – if desexed, over 10 years old or kept for breeding by a domestic animal business

$65 � for all other cats

Our disclaimer holds.

Source: http://myanimalcare.org/2013/04/09/what-is-happening-in-other-countries/

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AnimalCare is a registered society that promotes caregiving to street animals and helps in their neutering and medical needs. AnimalCare has a Medical Fund, Food Fund and Education Fund.

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