The community is calling for the Banana Shire Council to work with local veterinary clinics and introduce a desperately needed affordable desexing campaign in the Banana Shire to help combat the overwhelming amount of kittens being advertised as free giveaways. Like their parents, these kittens are almost always never desexed themselves and it is especially distressing to see so many needing good homes when there are hundreds of animals in local shelters and pounds that are tragically euthanised because they are unable to find an adoptive family quickly enough.

We are genuinely concerned for the wellbeing of these animals and also for the native fauna as many neglected cats end up feral and cause known devastating effects to our wildlife. 

According to RSPCA QLD female cats can potentially produce three litters of six kittens each year. Even more staggering, over the course of her breeding life, a female cat (and her offspring) may be responsible for the birth of 420,000 kittens. 

Thousands of cats and kittens lose their lives in Queensland every year, the innocent victims of irresponsible and uninformed pet owners. That’s more than one every hour. And the problem grows bigger every year.

Thousands upon thousands of unwanted kittens are born each year across the state, simply because their owners have failed to desex their cats. Thousands of these kittens are dumped at the RSPCA, Council Pounds, Animal Rescue groups, on unsuspecting door steps, or in the bush.

http://www.rspcaqld.org.au/what-we-do/welfare-awareness/companion-animals/desex-your-pet

BENEFITS OF DESEXING TO PET OWNERS AND THE COMMUNITY 

Reduces the cost to the community of having to care for unwanted puppies and kittens in pounds and shelters.

No additional food or vet bills for the offspring.

No need to find homes for unwanted or unexpected litters of puppies or kittens.

Save money from expensive surgeries from car accidents or fights, which are less likely to occur if your pet doesn't roam around.

Dumping puppies and kittens is an ethical cost, as well as being illegal and inhumane.

Pets are less prone to wander, fight, and are less likely to get lost or injured.

Reduces territorial behaviour such as spraying indoors.

Less likely to suffer from anti-social behaviors. They become more affectionate and become better companions.

More info at http://www.ndn.org.au/benefits-of-desexing.html