If you've been putting off desexing your pet because money is tight, you're certainly not alone.
With the cost of living continuing to rise, we know many people are having to make difficult decisions about household expenses. But the good news is that there are a number of organisations across Victoria working to make desexing more affordable.
July is National Desexing Month, so we thought we would take the opportunity to share a list of ongoing cheap desexing initiatives which run all year round, your furry friends access discounted desexing beyond this month.
Fix-A-Friend
If you're doing it tough, our Fix-A-Friend program may be able to help.
Designed for Pensioner, Seniors and Health Care Card holders, Fix-A-Friend offers discounted desexing days across metro and regional Victoria. Better yet, the desexing cost of $75 for cats and $175 for dogs also includes microchipping if needed.
Local councils
Many Victorian councils also offer cheap desexing programs or partner with organisations that do.
Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to have your pet desexed for as little as $50.
It's also worth checking whether your council offers reduced pet registration fees for desexed animals - a small saving that can add up over time.
Cat Protection Society of Victoria
If you have a cat, the Cat Protection Society of Victoria runs a fantastic Community Desexing Program for eligible Pensioner, Seniors and Health Care Card holders.
Based in Greensborough, they've helped thousands of cat guardians access affordable desexing.
Australian Animal Protection Society (AAPS)
The AAPS Veterinary Clinic in Keysborough also provides discounted cat desexing without requiring a concession card.
Male cats can be desexed for $120, while female cats cost $160. If your cat also needs to be microchipped, this can be done during the same procedure for an additional $20.
RSPCA – Peninsula Clinic
If you're looking for a cheap option on the Mornington Peninsula, RSPCA Victoria's Peninsula Clinic offers cat desexing and microchipping for $99 without a concession card, or just $50 for people with a valid concession card.
The Vet Project
For those living in regional Victoria, The Vet Project brings discounted vet care directly to rural communities through its mobile clinics.
They regularly provide low-cost desexing, vaccinations and microchipping in areas that may not otherwise have easy access to these services.
National Desexing Network
A great place to start is the National Desexing Network, which connects pet guardians with participating vet clinics offering discounted desexing across Australia.
By searching your local area, you may be able to access cheap desexing through a participating clinic near you.
Why desexing matters
Desexing isn't just about preventing unexpected litters. It can also improve your pet's health, reduce the risk of certain diseases, and help ease the pressure on animal shelters already caring for thousands of unwanted pets each year.
If cost has been your biggest barrier, we hope this list gives you a starting point.
If you know someone who could benefit from these programs, we'd love for you to share this guide with them. Together, we can help more pets stay healthy, happy and with the families who love them.
