Desex pets in caravan

A newly decked out SPCA Mobile Desexing Caravan is parking up in Kapiti this week, offering low cost animal desexing services in conjunction with Kapiti Coast Animal Management.

Having already been put through its paces desexing hundreds of cats and dogs in the Greater Wellington region, the recently revamped caravan will be in Paraparaumu until Christmas.

Located at council's emergency operations centre and offering animal desexing for a donation, the service is offered to Community Services card holders and families subject to hardship.

To keep up with demands for affordable desexing services in communities, the eight-metre-long vehicle recently received a full service and reparations to help SPCA veterinary staff tackle the high numbers of unwanted litters in the New Year.

Along with new air conditioning and electrical fittings, the caravan's spruce up included updated sockets and new light switches.

"There's been high demand for this service by the community and SPCA inspectors of the area, as well as Animal Control," SPCA Wellington veterinary practice manager Adele Hawkswell said.

"It's the ideal time of year, before going into the peak of kitten season, as many female cats are now conceiving and will be giving birth to litters in two to three months."

According to Ms Hawkswell, the goal was to decrease the very high numbers of unwanted cats and dogs in the area, with the mobile clinic relying heavily on donations and grants to fuel its work.

"It's about the overall improvement of animal welfare and making the service accessible to people that would otherwise not have the means."

Council environmental standards manager Jacquie Muir said the animal management team was thrilled to be hosting the SPCA desexing caravan for the first time.

"We're encouraging our Kapiti-based dog and cat owners to take advantage of the opportunity to have their pets spayed and neutered at a reduced rate," she said.

"Desexing your cat and dog is not only part of responsible pet ownership and helps to ensure your animal's welfare, but there are also huge benefits to the wider community."

To book in an animal, email your details to desexyourpet@wellingtonspca.org.nz. You can phone or text 021 804 987.