The discovery of five abandoned puppies in Mitchell Shire has highlighted the importance of desexing animals.
The Pomeranian cross Jack Russell puppies were left in a box on a roadside in Pyalong.
They were found, seen by a vet and are now with Save-A-Dog Scheme, a community-based not-for-profit animal welfare organisation that saves hundreds of dogs and cats every year.
The puppies will be held for the required quarantine period and then assessed for adoption in the coming weeks.
Like most councils across Victoria after the pandemic, Mitchell has seen an increase in the number of animals entering the pound in the past few months.
However council has also seen an increase in the number of adoptions, with more than 20 adoptions in the past month.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens said she was glad the puppies were safe after they were ‘senselessly abandoned’.
“They could have been surrendered responsibly to our pound or other animal care facility free of charge. It was just so cruel to dump them,” she said.
“I wonder how their mum is being treated. Desexing your pet is the best way to stop overpopulation and reduce the amount of unwanted dogs and cats coming to the pound.”
As well as helping to stop pet overpopulation, desexing also helps address health and welfare risks including reducing the risk of cancer and other diseases of the reproductive organs.
Desexing also reduces the risk of female animals suffering from physical and nutritional exhaustion from continual breeding.
Desexed animals are also less prone to wander, fight and get lost or injured and have reduced territorial behaviour.
Cr Stevens said eligible residents could apply to receive a discount voucher for the desexing of their cats or dogs. .
She said it also a timely reminder for people to check their animals were microchipped ahead of the April 10 renewal due date and to make sure their contact and pet details were up to date, especially if they have moved or relcoated to Mitchell for the first time.
For more information about the Save-A-Dog Scheme and how to help, visit saveadog.org.au.
