Desexing of dogs

Press, 26 September 1989, Page 12

Desexing of dogs

Sir,—Ms Buck’s proposal regarding desexing of dogs before leaving the pound deserves commendation. The S.P.C.A. in Canterbury has been following this policy for many years, in that all adult female dogs are spayed before leaving our shelter or, if too young, a voucher system is implemented. The new owner pays partial cost to the S.P.C.A. before taking the puppy home, and receives a discount of this amount from the veterinarian at the time of spaying. With 1500 dogs and puppies through our animal home last year, and the promise of a higher intake for 1989, a more extreme approach to dog ownership is required. In a perfect society all these unfortunate creatures would be as-

sured of a comfortable, loving home, and not left, like so many, to roam the streets or tied up for hours on the end of a short chain. A 24-hour dog ranger service would be a great advantage to both the public and us at the S.P.C.A. We have, after all, been offering a 24-hour service for accidents and emergencies for many years, and a great many of our after-hours queries are regarding stray dogs, winch are not supposed to be our .'area of concern. — Yours, etc., J. M. PRATTLEY,\

manager. September 19, 1989.