Getting 2 Zero
Information for developing cooperative desexing programs
Euthanasia rates of both dogs and cats is a significant community concern in pounds and shelters around Australia, particularly for cats, with euthanasia rates at least twice, sometimes three times, that of dogs in most places. Many communities still euthanase around 50% of their abandoned cats and have been euthanasing similar proportions for many years.
However, Gold Coast City has more than halved its cat euthanasia rate, and sustained it at 10% or less of all incoming cats since 2016/17, one of the lowest rates in Australia for a whole large city of over half a million people.
While the Getting to Zero program involves a range of strategies, one of the most important strategies has been readily available low cost desexing to support people in need to prevent unplanned litters rather than having to Collect/Hold/Euthanase them.
Click on the links below for further information on how to develop a cooperative desexing program in your community.
- Co-operative Desexing Program Summary (Revised Nov 23)
- Benefits of Councils funding Co-operative Desexing Programs (Revised Nov 23)