Low-income earners and pensioners will be eligible for cut-price desexing, microchipping and vaccinations of their cats and dogs under a new program.
RSPCA NSW, the Blue Mountains Volunteer Branch and Blue Mountains City Council, have partnered with vets in the region to offer heavily subsidised procedures.
"The local RSPCA volunteer branch has raised $10,000 for this program, and Blue Mountains City Council has pitched in another $5000, said RSPCA NSW Blue Mountains Shelter supervisor, Nikki Balzer. "We're hoping to see at least 100 dogs and cats vaccinated, microchipped and desexed - all for $50 or less.
"This is so important, as vaccinated animals help stop the spread of disease; desexed animals prevent hundreds of unwanted, homeless animals being born annually; and microchipping your pet is the only way to make sure it gets back to you quickly."
Jack Abbey, from North Katoomba, hopes to take his shar pei Zero to be desexed and microchipped. Mr Abbey, who rescued Zero along with her sister and her one surviving puppy, praised the initiative.
"It's a scheme that will definitely help out," he said.
Senior ranger with council, Jim Fishlock, said the cheaper desexing arrangements were another step forward in pet care.
"It means potentially a reduction in the number of unwanted pets."
The mayor, Mark Greenhill, said it was important for pet owners to know that microchips won't hurt their cat or dog.
"And once they are microchipped it will last the animal's lifetime and can't be lost like collars and ID tags.
"Having your pet microchipped can also help reduce the number of cats and dogs that need to be rehomed because we can't find their owners."
It also means owners of wandering animals can be found quickly, said Clr Chris Van der Kley.
"The stay in the pound is a lot shorter, often only 24 hours," he said. "It's good to see that council is working with the RSPCA to put this program together."
Eligible residents will pay $50 for a female dog, $35 for a male, the same for a female cat and $20 for a male cat. Nine vets in the Mountains are participating in the scheme. They are at Blackheath, Katoomba, Wentworth Falls, Hazelbrook, Springwood, Faulconbridge, Winmalee and Blaxland. Bookings should be made via the RSPCA Blue Mountains Shelter on 4782 2391 or council on 4780 5000.
