Team effort sees Northland desexing success

With such high numbers of undesexed animals in the Northland region, both owned and stray, SPCA was pleased to be able to partner with Bay of Islands Veterinary Services and Coast to Coast Cat Rescue back in June 2023.

While SPCA covered the costs involved for desexing surgeries, microchipping, and vaccinations for over 600 animals, Bay of Islands Vets carried out the procedures.

“The initial demand was overwhelming,” says Rebecca Dobson, SPCA National Desexing Programme Manager. “We had to increase the numbers because the spaces were taken up so quickly, which was great to see.”

Over the following financial year, SPCA was thrilled to be able to increase this funding to cover desexing for an additional 700 cats and 700 dogs.

“We’re hoping to expand this even further for the next financial year,” says Ms Dobson. “The demand is out there – so we will continue to put whatever funding we can towards this important initiative.”

As a charity, SPCA relies on donations for desexing – and does not receive any Government funding for these activities.

Sam Stewart from Coast-to-Coast Cat Rescue is seeing a reduction in the number of cats coming into their care and needing rehoming in the community.

“We usually sit at 200 in care over the period December to April. So far, we have not gone over 150 at any point. We are also seeing fewer kittens being given away for free on local Facebook pages. These were previously very frequent, if not daily.”

Jorrit Verver, a Director of Bay of Islands Veterinary Services, has said that the work is having a real impact.

“Interestingly, we have started to see a slow down in bookings for cat desexing,” says Dr Verver. “This tells me two things: the desexing programme is starting to make a difference, and lots of remaining cats in the area are likely semi-feral, and don’t have owners.”

This highlights the importance of having volunteers ready to assist with trapping, so that more cats without owners can be brought in to be desexed.

“The demand for dog desexing is still huge,” says Dr Verver. “We have done great work together over the last few years with SPCA, and we are keen to continue this journey.”

There are also selfless volunteers who directly contribute to the success of these campaigns.

One such volunteer is Margaret Milne, who is part of the Sisters of Mercy Congregation, and has been a critical asset to the desexing programme.

From liaising with pet owners in the community and managing the surgery authorisation paperwork, to transporting animals to the appointments, Margaret is a greatly appreciated volunteer who has helped us to reach many more families.

“My involvement in the desexing initiatives has been full on,” says Margaret. “I have a passion for animals, and spent 26 years working in Chile. There I began rescuing many cats, dogs, kittens and pups, which heightened my awareness of their vulnerability in abandonment.

I do a lot of groundwork, responding to texts, phone calls and messages passed on by friends and whānau. I visit the pet owners to present the paperwork, give them the opportunity to ask any questions, and safely deliver pets to and from the vet clinic for those who need help with transport.”

For many people living in remote areas, transportation to and from the clinic and the cost involved is a big barrier – so having the help of Maragret is crucial for providing access to those who need it.

“When I bring the animals back, I also brief them on the medication, care, and importance of recovery time for their pets,” says Margaret.

Margaret tells us she can see the direct impact of the desexing programme on the communities.

“Many Pawarenga Valley families had large numbers of cats living under their homes. Gradually, all of the cats have been desexed with the help of a loaned trap from Ashleigh at Bay of Islands Vet Clinic.

I recall that we spent a long time working through many cats from a property in Kerikeri. I pulled up at 6:30am, and the elderly couple were standing in the dark on the driveway to meet me, jubilant – each holding a cat carrier containing a cat – the last two to be desexed from a very large group!”

While there is still a long way left to go, we recognise and celebrate how far we’ve come. By prioritising these desexing initiatives and partnerships, we’re able to tackle the overpopulation of companion animals as a community, and prevent future suffering.

Steadily reducing the rates of breeding, fewer unwanted animals will be born into potential lives of neglect, easing the future load on all animal rescue organisations.

“I am convinced that this is a proactive method to encourage animal owners to respond positively and value their animals,” says Margaret. “It is saving them a considerable amount financially, and lowering multitudes of unwanted animals in rural areas.

Without this SPCA Desexing Programme, many could not approach a vet clinic because of the overwhelming costs involved.”

Outside of the desexing partnership with Bay of Islands Veterinary Services, SPCA has other desexing initiatives to help tackle the overpopulation of companion animals.

Through SPCA Snip ‘n’ Chip vouchers, community desexing, and our SPCA Mobile Desexing Clinic, combined with the vet partnerships, a total of 6,599 cats and dogs have been desexed in Northland and Whangārei over the past three years.

“This is expected to have prevented an estimated 22,949 unwanted animals from being born,” says Ms Dobson.

“We’re so grateful to our vet partners, without whom we wouldn’t be able to carry out so much of this work. The vet shortage is an ongoing challenge, so we’re so pleased to have them on our side.”