Greater Shepparton City Council, supported by GV Vet Clinic and the Victorian Government, are operating the Positive Animal Welfare Shepparton (PAWS) Program, providing vulnerable or disadvantaged pet owners living in the municipality with access to low cost desexing, microchipping and Council registration until 10 April for their dogs and cats.
The voluntary scheme aims to ensure that everyone in the community has access to the desexing procedure for their animals.
Desexing can provide a range of veterinary and behavioural benefits for the animal and prevents unwanted pregnancies.
How it works
Download the Application Form
Eligibility
Animal owners must meet the following criteria to submit an application:
- Must permanently live in Greater Shepparton City Council municipality and can provide evidence of their residential address;
- Currently hold one of the following concession cards issued by Centrelink: Pension concession card, Health care card, Low income health care card or Commonwealth seniors health card;
- Own cats that are normally kept at the address within the Greater Shepparton City Council municipality;
- Cooperate with Council Animal Rangers to comply with the Domestic Animals Act 1994, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 and Council Local Laws. This may include applying for a Local laws permit if there is more than two cats and two dogs at the property;
- Does not deliberately or intentionally breed and sell puppies or kittens;
- Have a person that is able to assist with transporting the animal/s between their home and GV Vet Clinic as required.
Note: Preference will be given to those who live in community housing at an address within the Greater Shepparton municipality and those who are considered to be a ‘vulnerable or disadvantaged person’.
Terms and Conditions
- Only PAWS Vouchers issued by Greater Shepparton City Council can be used to access this program.
- PAWS Vouchers are issued at the discretion of Council Animal Management. Vouchers are strictly limited.
- No other veterinary procedures can be done during the GV Vets booked appointment, unless by prior arrangement with GV Vets and any applicable fees are paid by the owner prior to the procedures being undertaken.
- One PAWS Voucher can be issued per animal.
- The $20 fee per PAWS Voucher must be paid prior to a PAWS Voucher being issued and is non transferable and non refundable.
- PAWS Vouchers are automatically cancelled if:
- Aggression, violence, abusive language or a lack of cooperation towards Animal Rangers, Council staff or GV Vets staff;
- The owner falsifies any details on the completed forms; or
- The owner fails to attend the booked appointment with their animal to be desexed and/or microchipped.
- Owners who falsify a PAWS voucher or do not own the animal listed on the voucher will have to repay Council the full cost incurred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the ‘owner’ of a dog or cat?
Owner in respect of a dog or cat, includes a person who keeps or harbours the animal or has the animal in his or her care for the time being whether the animal is at large or in confinement. Where the owner of a dog or cat is under the age of 18 years, for the purposes of the Domestic Animals Act 1994, the parent or guardian of that person is deemed to be the owner.
Where does the funding for the PAWS program come from?
Funding comes from the Victorian Government’s Animal Welfare Fund Grants Program and Greater Shepparton City Council. The Animal Welfare Fund Grants Program was established to support improvement of companion animal welfare in the Victorian community.
Who does the PAWS Program aim to help and who can apply for the PAWS Vouchers?
The voluntary scheme aims to provide assistance to vulnerable or disadvantaged cat owners, who are 18 years of age or older. Vouchers will be prioritised for those living in Community Housing and will be issued at Councils discretion in accordance with program conditions.
What do owners have to do to apply for PAWS Vouchers?
All owners who receive PAWS Program Vouchers must be willing to cooperate with Council Animal Rangers to comply with the Domestic Animals Act 1994, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 and Council Local Laws. Cooperation may include meeting with Council Animal Rangers to discuss your situation including how many animals you own, how to apply for a Local laws permit if there is more than two cats and two dogs at the property and following guidance on caring your animals and responsible pet ownership. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Council.
When does the PAWS Program finish?
Vouchers expire on the day your appointment with the vets is scheduled and two weeks from the date your application is accepted by Council. The PAWS Program will automatically finish without notice when allocated funding has been exhausted.
What do I need to know about the veterinary desexing procedure?
- Desexing surgery carries a risk that the animal may experience complications or die from the anaesthetic. It is important that the owner fully understands the risks associated with the anaesthetic prior to signing the GV Vet Anaesthetic Consent form. If the owner has any questions about the procedure, please contact GV Vets to discuss.
- If the animal is being desexed, it is preferable that the owner also attend GV Vets when the animal is admitted so the owner can ask any questions prior to surgery.
- When the animal is admitted to GV vets, the owner will be advised when they can collect their animal after surgery, which is normally the same day.
- If the owner does not collect their animal when requested by GV Vets, the animal may be transported to the Shepparton Animal Shelter and fees will be required to be paid by the owner prior to collection.
What happens if the owner has concerns about their animal after surgery?
When the animal is collected from GV Vet Clinic after surgery, information will be provided regarding after surgery care and a GV Vets Voucher will also be issued for a free after surgery consultation. Owners can also contact GV Vets via telephone 24 hours a day if they have questions or concerns for their animal after surgery.
What happens after the cat is desexed and/or microchipped?
Under state law, all cats and dogs over three months old must be microchipped and registered with Council and Cats must be desexed before they are registered. Animal Registration fees are paid prior to 10 April each year. Owners receive a discount if their animals are desexed.
- Copies of the PAWS Voucher, desexing certificates and microchipping certificates will be provided to Councils Animal Management department.
- Councils Animal Management department will organise for Animal Registration paperwork to be finalised so your animal will be registered with Council until April 10 of that year.
- A letter with the animal’s registration tag will be sent to the owner in the mail. It is important that the owner places the tag on the animals’ collar.
- Prior to 10 April, a renewal notice will be sent to the owner in the mail. Please ensure that the Registration Fee is paid prior to April 10 each year.
- Councils Animal Rangers will continue to work with the owner to comply with the Domestic Animals Act 1994, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 and Council Local Laws. This may include applying for a Local laws permit if there is more than two cats and two dogs at the property.
For more information
Please contact Greater Shepparton City Council:
Locked Bag 1000, Shepparton, Vic, 3632.
Council Office: 90 Welsford Street, Shepparton.
Ph: 03 5832 9700
Email: council@shepparton.vic.gov.au