The Combined Vets of Logan City Community Desexing and Micro-chipping Clinic has been hailed a howling success by its first inpatient.
"Jackie", a one year old Chihuahua cross, was the first four legged friend to receive five-star treatment at the new clinic, which opened to the public on Monday, 28 September.
The clinic, which is based at Council's Animal Management Centre, offers discounted pet desexing and micro-chipping to pensioner concession, healthcare card holders and veteran gold card holders.
The clinic is equipped with two consultation areas, three recovery rooms and is operated by the Combined Vets of Logan City, in partnership with 21 Logan veterinary clinics and Logan City Council.
Animals and City Standards Committee Chairman, Councillor Graham Able (Division 5), said the new clinic was a major boost in the battle to control unwanted pet breeding.
"This new clinic is now providing affordable desexing and micro-chipping to residents in Logan," he said.
The state government contributed $84,000 towards the clinic, as part of its Managing Unwanted Cats and Dogs pilot study. The two year initiative involves different pilot studies in Logan City Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Gold Coast and Townsville City Councils, and aims to encourage responsible pet ownership by increasing the number of cats and dogs being desexed.
Of the 2,105 cats that were impounded in Logan during the last financial year, 1,546 had to be euthanased. Nearly 30 per cent of impounded dogs were also euthanased.
Cr Able said the figures were a major cause for concern.
"I think the numbers of cats and dogs we're currently seeing put down in Logan is an appalling statistic," he said.
"I urge all pet owners in Logan to take more responsibility for their animals and if they haven't already had their cat or dog desexed or micro-chipped, to take advantage of the service now available at this new clinic."
The Combined Vets of Logan City and Community Desexing and Micro-chipping Clinic has a strong focus on rehousing desexed and micro-chipped, impounded animals.
During the month of August, Logan City Council Officers impounded 294 dogs and 146 cats, of which 106 dogs and 11 cats were returned to their owners. 68 dogs and 29 cats were sold through Council's Cats and Dogs Sale Program. 42 dogs and 19 cats were transferred to stakeholder agencies for potential re-homing. 1,126 cats were also registered across Logan City.
Logan City Council's Community Desexing and Micro-chipping Clinic is open to the public from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 12pm on Saturday. Bookings can be made by telephoning the clinic on 3209 3220.