Funding for cat spaying dries up
State funding in the form of sterilisation grants to help people to desex their cats has ended.
Changes to the Cat Act 2011 in November 2013 required cat owners to sterilise and microchip their cats before six months of age, procedures that cost about $200.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Local Government and Communities said the funding was in place to help pensioners and low-income earners cope with the changes to the legislation.
"For two years from 2012, the State Government provided $3.24 million to support local governments and the community with the implementation of the Act," the department spokeswoman said.
"The City of Bunbury received funding for their sterilisation program in 2012/13 and a further grant in 2013/14."
By minimising the number of cats able to breed and imposing penalties for disregarding the Act's requirements, there should be few unwanted kittens being born.
"The Cat Act now requires all cats to be sterilised (unless specifically exempted). Owners that have unsterilised cats are committing an offence under the Cat Act and action can be taken against them by the local government," she said.
