Our brand new SPCA Mobile Desexing Clinic is hitting the road in Northland - here's everything you need to know.

Our new purpose-built Mobile Desexing Clinic replaces the much older Desexing Caravan, which was decommissioned due to significant mechanical problems. The much-improved vehicle will provide free desexing services to remote communities with high numbers of stray cats and dogs, and that struggle to access veterinary care.

Over the coming weeks, we will be travelling to Moerewa, Dargaville, Waimamaku, Rawene, Opononi, Ahipara and Pukenui.

The costs involved with desexing and microchipping can often be very high, and with the current cost of living crisis, many pet owners are unable to prioritise these services. Various Northland communities are also hours away from their nearest vet, making access very difficult.

SPCA National Desexing Programme Manager Rebecca Dobson says that SPCA is offering these vital procedures free of charge to Northland pet owners, to help combat the disproportionately large number of cats and dogs in this region that haven’t been desexed.

“We see extremely high numbers of unwanted kittens and puppies in Northland. With the new SPCA Mobile Desexing Clinic, we hope to desex large numbers of animals in communities where the need is high, to bring down the rates of breeding and ultimately reduce the number of unwanted litters.”

As well as reducing the large amounts of unwanted animals, scientific research has proven that desexed animals can live happier and healthier lives. They are less likely to get into fights, can be more affectionate and friendly, and have a reduced risk of health problems such as cancer.

Desexing and microchipping are critical in improving animal welfare in New Zealand.

We could not offer this service without our amazing supporters, and we would like to thank our participating veterinary clinics; Bay of Island Veterinary Services and Top Vets, without them this would not be possible. We would also like to acknowledge our own Veterinary teams at SPCA, who will be working on this campaign too.

There are a limited number of spaces available. Cat and dog owners please visit www.spca.nz/northland-desexing to book your pet in. If you don’t have access to the internet, call 022 362 5105 to secure your spot.

The SPCA Mobile Desexing Clinic schedule is as follows:

• Moerewa: 11 - 14 September
• Dargaville: 18 –21 and 25 – 28 September
• Waimamaku: 2 - 5 October
• Rawene: 9 - 12 October and 16 - 19 October
• Opononi: 24 - 26 October
• Ahipara: 30 October - 2 November and 6 - 9 November
• Pukenui: 13 -16 November

How do I get my animal booked in?

You can book your animal in by visiting www.spca.nz/northland-desexing and if you do not have access to the internet, call 022 362 5105 to secure your spot. Our team will be able to answer any questions you have.

Can I just turn up on the day to get my animal desexed or microchipped?

No, you must have an appointment booked in with the clinic to be able to have your animal desexed.

Why isn’t my address working on the online booking system?

Our online booking system uses an American format, which doesn’t recognise correct New Zealand addresses. Please only use the 'Custom Address' option, and in the ‘State’ section use the first two letters of your region, for example, ‘NO’ for Northland.

Why isn’t my home phone number working on the online booking system?

Our online booking system uses an American format and requires an extra ‘0’ at the beginning, for example, 006 instead of 06. This does not affect the mobile phone number.

What age does my kitten/puppy need to be before I can get them desexed?

We can desex kittens that weigh more than 1kg. Puppies need to be 6 months or older.

Do you offer any other treatments, or procedures?

When an animal is desexed we offer free flea/worm, microchipping and vaccinations as part of this. We are unable to offer these separately to desexing or any other surgical procedure.

Our Northland SPCA Centre team have drop-in clinics that offer flea and worm treatment, emergency food (koha), and advice on animal problems. Please follow our Northland Facebook page for locations, dates and times.

My animal is microchipped already, can I just get them desexed?

Yes, you can. Desexing not only helps your animal live a happy and healthier life, but it helps break the cycle of unwanted litters of animals in our communities.

I just want my animal desexed, do I have to get my animal microchipped as part of this campaign?

We recommend that all animals are microchipped as part of our mobile desexing campaign. SPCA supports responsible pet ownership and believes that microchipping your pet is part of this responsibility. Should your pet ever become lost, microchipping gives you the best chance of being reunited with them.

Is this service available to other animals?

This offer is only available for cats and dogs. Livestock, rabbits and farmed animals are not included in this campaign. With limited capacity, SPCA must target species where the need is highest. With most of SPCA’s incoming animals being companion animals such as cats and dogs, we are targeting pet owners in the area to help them get this vital service.

Is this offer available in other parts of the country?

We only have one Mobile Desexing Clinic, and so we are unable to offer this service to other parts of the country at this stage. We do run Snip 'n' Chip campaigns in various locations, where cat owners can receive discounted desexing and microchipping. These sell out quickly, so be sure to check our website regularly so that you can make a booking in your area as soon as they become available. You can find the listings over at www.spca.nz/northland-desexing.

If you know someone with a pet that isn’t desexed or microchipped in another region of New Zealand, please encourage them to reach out to their local SPCA or vet who can advise on desexing options in their area.

Does SPCA offer any other free or discounted veterinary services to the public?

Unfortunately, the SPCA does not offer any other free or discounted veterinary services to the public. Any further treatments or surgeries that your animal may require, over and above the offer we have available, will be at your own cost and will need to be agreed upon with a local veterinarian.

Why doesn't SPCA have the Mobile Desexing Clinic running throughout the year?

SPCA is aiming to keep the Mobile Desexing Clinic operational as much as possible. To run the Clinic, we rely on a mixture of both internal and external Vets and Vet Nurses. There is currently a Veterinary shortage in New Zealand, and this makes it very difficult to staff year-round. We are doing our best and hope to have the Clinic desexing as many cats and dogs as we possibly can throughout the year.