DEALING with the sad reality of unwanted pets on a daily basis, Heaven Can Wait Animal Shelter president Kate Davies had a clear message for irresponsible pet owners.
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“If you can’t afford to desex them, you can’t afford to have a pet,” Ms Davies said.
The Tamworth Regional Council pound hit out at backyard breeders and irresponsible pet owners on Facebook after it took-in seven flea-ridden, mangy puppies.
Ms Davies shared the frustration of the pound and said it had been a busy time of year at her shelter.
“We take as many as we can and the pound does a great job,” she said.
Ms Davies said there was some common excuses people gave for not desexing their animals.
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“A common excuse given is people want their children to witness the miracle of birth,” she said.
“Some say it’s healthy for their pets to have one litter, there’s nothing to prove that and not every birth goes well.”
In terms of financial barriers preventing people from neutering, Ms Davies said it should be considered before a decision is made to buy the animal in the first place.
Tamworth vet Ryan McGhie said there were benefits to desexing other than eliminating unwanted pregnancies.
“There are some reproductive disorders and some cancers which can be prevented,” Dr McGhie said.
“And some behavioural issues in males can be mitigated a little.”
Dr McGhie said vet practices did what they could to make the procedure more affordable
“We’re doing what we can without sacrificing the health and welfare of the animals,” he said.
He believed pet ownership had grown in Tamworth and most people were doing the right thing. “We’re busier than what have been and the business is growing,” he said.
The pound took to social media to call for more responsible pet ownership. “This is the result of one person’s irresponsible breeding of animals,” the pound said.
A spokesperson for council said there had been an increase “in incoming cats and dogs” which was put down to a lack of desexing in the community and urged locals to keep an eye out for free microchipping days.