July is National Desexing Month.

Throughout the month of July, participating veterinarians are offering discounts and special deals to make desexing companion animals more affordable and accessible, helping to reduce the number of animals who end up in shelters.

Whether you have a companion animal, are a veterinarian, or are involved with your local council, you can help humankind’s best friends this National Desexing Month.

Animals Australia is a proud sponsor of National Desexing Month 2025. Led by the National Desexing Network – an initiative of Animal Welfare League Qld – National Desexing Month invites vet clinics, councils, and pet owners to take action to help address the sad reality of ‘pet overpopulation’.

Across Australia, animal shelters are stretched to capacity, and unplanned litters continue to be surrendered. Many dogs and cats, born in ‘accidental’ litters or to mother animals living on the streets, aren’t given the opportunity to live full, happy lives – there simply aren’t enough homes for them all.

Knowing how much Australians adore their companion animals’ cuddles and quirks, it is difficult to think that over 200 dogs and cats who are lost or abandoned are euthanised every day in pounds and shelters across the country. 

Desexing is a simple, powerful step to help stop this overpopulation problem and the euthanasia of ‘unwanted’ animals.

And thanks to this national collaboration, there is hope – and real progress! In past years, up to 10,000 animals have been desexed during National Desexing Month alone.

• If you have a companion animal:
  
  You could be eligible for discounted desexing for your companion. Head to the pet owners section of NDN.org.au for a list of vets participating in low-cost desexing during National Desexing Month. Please note that caring community members who feed cats living on the streets can also participate and get these cats desexed too.

  As unpleasant as it may be to take your little bestie in for the procedure, know you are helping to spare animals just like them from ending up in pounds or shelters, or from a difficult life on the street. Beyond this, desexing dogs and cats can also help to improve their health and longevity, by preventing potential health issues associated with not being desexed.

• If you are a veterinarian:

  Please register here if your clinic can offer discounted desexing and join other vet clinics across the country in helping to end companion animal overpopulation.

• If you are a member of a local council anywhere in Australia:
  
  Please register your interest in starting an NDN Cooperative Desexing Program here.

For more information on National Desexing Month:

• Visit ndn.org.au
• Call the National Desexing Network on 1300 368 992

• Spend ample time considering if welcoming an animal into your home is right for you at this time.
  Avoid making impulse decisions when considering bringing an animal into your home; take the time needed to properly assess whether you are ready to make a lifelong commitment to an animal. For some, fostering offers a more suitable level of flexibility while still being a wonderful way to help animals in need of a loving home.

• Take the pledge today to adopt, not shop, and encourage friends and family to do the same!
  If and when you are ready to share your life with a furry friend, find a local rescue shelter or head to the Pet Rescue website here.

• Share the video below with any friends who may be considering opening their home to a companion, to encourage them to adopt or foster: