The SPCA's mobile desexing clinic

Wellington SPCA has waved goodbye to its mobile desexing clinic for another year, following a highly successful residency in Porirua that resulted in a staggering 304 animals being desexed.

The mobile clinic tours the length and breadth of the country encouraging pet owners to have their animals desexed and offering the service at no charge to those who are unable to afford it. A koha is suggested to help cover some of the costs.

“The fact that we have been able to desex over 300 animals at the clinic means we have potentially prevented up to 1,500 unwanted births” explains Peter Mason, Wellington SPCA’s Executive Director. “Wellington SPCA has to deal first-hand with the outcomes of uncontrolled breeding in pets, so providing this free service is one positive way we can tackle the issue.”

The clinic has been stationed in Porirua for the whole of February and was staffed by SPCA inspectors, veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons. As well as carrying out operations, staff used the opportunity to promote all aspects of responsible pet ownership, of which desexing is just one part.

The final day of the clinic’s visit coincided with International Spay Day – a worldwide campaign organised by The Humane Society of the United States. To acknowledge this event, Wellington SPCA carried out twice the number of desexing procedures than usual on the one day, at multiple locations – a total of 50 animals.