Victoria's biggest animal shelter is calling for cheaper desexing solutions as it struggles with a surge in surrendered puppies and kittens.
The number of puppies arriving at The Lost Dogs Home's North Melbourne and Cranbourne shelters has jumped by more than 115 per cent in two years to 509 in 2023, with a further 142 handed over so far this year.
The number of kittens surrendered has increased almost 40 per cent over the same period to a staggering 5056 in 2023, plus 1740 this year.
The Lost Dogs Home spokeswoman Suzana Talevski said the spike in puppy arrivals was of particular concern.
"It's numbers we are not used to seeing," Ms Talevski said.
"They are numbers we don't want to be seeing."
Nationally, the RSPCA alone received more than 18,000 dogs and more than 33,000 kittens in the 2023 financial year, with more than 9000 of the animals ultimately put down.
"Most of these cases are due to severe medical or behavioural issues that compromise the animal's quality of life," an RSPCA spokesman said.
Ms Talevski said cost-of-living pressures meant fewer owners were desexing their pets, leading to extra litters and more surrenders.
"There is also an over-supply versus demand issue where breeders aren't seeing the same uptake as during the COVID lockdown era and are now surrendering puppies in large numbers.''
The shelter is calling for more investment in low-cost or free desexing services across the state.
"What we have seen so far is simply not having the impact required to arrest this super surge of puppies arriving at our shelter," Ms Talevski said.
Billie-Rose Harvey, manager at referral system National Desexing Network, said education and affordability were key to improving desexing rates in Australia.
"Educating pet owners about the benefits of desexing, such as improved health outcomes and reducing overpopulation is crucial," Ms Harvey said.
"States like South Australia, Tasmania, and some regional Victorian councils have been leading the way in proactive desexing programs."
The network has partnerships with about 30 Australian councils and roughly 160 vet clinics, which have helped desex a quarter of a million cats and dogs nationwide.
"Ongoing council-funded cooperative desexing programs and vet clinic participation are essential for reducing pet overpopulation and promoting responsible pet ownership," Ms Harvey said.
"These programs not only benefit animals and their owners but also contribute to a more positive and ethical community."
