Emerald vets join RSPCA’s campaign to encourage owners to desex pets

Emerald vets are offering a significant discount to pet owners wanting to desex their animals as part of a statewide campaign.

RSPCA is urging pet owners to get pets desexed as part of Queensland desexing campaign Operation Wanted.

Two Emerald veterinary clinics have joined 144 others across Queensland to assist RSPCA in its mission to have more pets desexed across the state.

Operation Wanted, RSPCA’s desexing campaign, is now in its seventh year and has gained the support of more clinics across Queensland.

Emerald’s Gray Street Veterinary Clinic and Maraboon Vet Surgery are the first in the region to participate, offering a 20 per cent discount for pet owners wanting to desex their animal.

RSPCA Qld spokesman Michael Beatty said it was vitally important for owners to ensure their pets were desexed, not only to prevent unwanted pregnancies and avoid pets ending up in shelters or pounds, but for the health of the pet.

“Having an unexpected litter can be time consuming and costly, something families that are already under strain will not be able to deal with,” he said.

“Prevention is always better than bringing unwanted pets into the world.”

Mr Beatty said Daisy was a prime example of why pets should be desexed.

“At seven years of age, this poor pooch had a ruptured pyometra, in other words, an infection in her uterus,” he said.

“It’s a condition that is easily preventable if your female dog is desexed.

“Picked up by an RSPCA Animal Ambulance, Daisy needed help fast. She was struggling to move, her breathing was rapid, and she had a lot of swelling in her abdomen.

“The RSPCA veterinary team got to work by flushing Daisy’s abdomen in a very tricky surgery.”

He said the build-up of infection from the toxic pyometra in her uterus was awful and would have been causing her a lot of pain.

Daisy eventually made a full recovery and even found a loving new family.

“Obviously we’d like to thank participating vets and councils that have already joined Operation Wanted again in 2021 to offer 20 per cent off desexing,” Mr Beatty said.

“It’s the vets and the councils who help drive the campaign in their communities and make it a success.”

Other benefits associated with pet desexing include:

• No risk of unwanted litters
• Reduces their desire to roam
• Reduces the risk of some cancers
• Reduces other unwanted behaviours such as urine spraying (cats)
• Cheaper council registration fees
• Allows pets to be happier and more relaxed

The campaign runs until August 31. Contact Gray Street Veterinary Clinic by calling 4982 4868, Maraboon Vet Surgery on 4987 6800 or click here to locate a participating vet near you.