De-sexing your pet can, over time, reduce the number of animals ending up in shelters and pounds and consequently the number of animals that are euthanased.

The RSPCA believes that increasing the percentage of dogs and cats de-sexed before they have a chance to breed is important in controlling the over-population of domestic animals.

“There is a massive pet over- population in Queensland and across Australia,” said RSPCA Qld spokesperson Michael Beatty. “Nearly 45,000 animals come into our care every year and the vast majority of these have not been de-sexed. We’ve got to get the message out there.”

The RSPCA is therefore launching their 2016 ‘Operation Wanted’ campaign encouraging everyone to do your bit, and ‘desex-ify’ your pet.

Last year 20,000 pets were de-sexed during the three month period of Operation Wanted, and this year the charity is hoping for close to 30,000. Local veterinarians discounted their normal desex prices by 20 per cent in support of this major campaign.

Michael Beatty said that one reason there’s such a massive feral cat and wild dog population is because people were not and are not de-sexing their pets.

“If we don’t keep these numbers in check it will dramatically impact the environment,” he said.

“In fact feral cats and wild dogs are already doing exactly that right now.”

The advantages to having your pet de-sexed are significant: no risk of unwanted litters, reduces desire to roam, reduces risk of some cancers, reduces other unwanted behaviours such as urine spraying (cats). cheaper Council registration fees for desexed dogs, and it allows pets to be healthier and happier

Councillor Sheila Ireland said that the Ipswich region is subject to feral animals that impact on property owners and livestock.

“Feral cats and dogs have a significant impact on local wildlife, and we receive a high volume of requests for traps to contain these animals,” said Cr Ireland.

For more information and to find your local participating vets go to www.operationwanted.com.au. Operation Wanted is on now and runs through to August 31.