MORE than 450 companion animals in the past 12 months have ended up at Kogarah Council's impounding centre — Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Carlton.
Council officers identified a significant difference between the number of microchipped cats and dogs arriving at the home.
Of the 239 cats, only 12 were microchipped: about 5 per cent.
Conversely, 95 per cent of dogs were microchipped and could be returned to their owners.
Those figures emphasise the need for the council's responsible pet ownership program, which begins in May.
Supported by a state government grant, the council is working to increase the microchipping and registration of pets within the Kogarah local government area.
The council has identified a need to support elderly and disabled residents by providing a free home service for microchipping cats and dogs.
This service, to be provided by council rangers, will aim to remove the stress on the animal and the inconvenience and financial hardship on the owner.
The second component of the program will focus on desexing, which prevents unwanted litters adding to the stray or feral population in the area:
■reduces the risk of disease of the reproductive organs;
■reduces or eliminates territorial and antisocial behaviour such as spraying indoors and the urge to "mount" people's legs, and
■pets are less likely to wander or fight.
District vets will provide a limited number of free microchipping and desexing services for pet owners in the Kogarah LGA.
The council also plans to run free microchipping days throughout the year and promote responsible pet ownership across the wider community, through an education campaign to be rolled out through veterinary practices as well as multicultural media agencies.
Kogarah mayor Michael Platt is encouraging pet owners to take advantage of the responsible pet ownership program and contact the council and make arrangements for their pets' desexing or microchipping.
Each household is eligible to have two animals microchipped and/or desexed.
The first of these events will be held on Saturday, May 16, at Moore Reserve, Morsehead Drive, Hurstville Grove.
Details: Kogarah Council, 9330 9400.
