Unless specifically intended for breeding, all cats must be desexed by the time the animal is six months old, unless you have applied for, and obtained a, a permit to keep the cat entire.
Although six months is the latest age by which a cat should be desexed, desexing can be safely carried out from about six weeks of age and many vets are now encouraging early desexing. Please discuss this with your vet.
Desexing your cat will result in:
· a reduction in the number of homeless domestic cats in the ACT suffering from hunger, exposure and disease, thereby causing animal welfare concerns and often a neighbourhood nuisance;
· a lighter load on animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, and fewer cats and kittens being unnecessarily put down;
· your cat is less likely to behave in ways that cause a nuisance to neighbours (desexed cats are generally quieter, less aggressive, wander less, and are less likely to have behavioural problems such as spraying);
· a reduced incidence of abscesses, other injuries and diseases resulting from cat fights;
· fewer injuries (and fatalities) from cars and dogs (entire cats wander more);
· your cat is likely to live longer; and
· you will save money (fewer vet bills).
It is a common misconception that female cats need to have one litter before they are desexed. （认为猫应该生一胎的观念是常见的误解） This is not correct. Mating or having a litter neither adds to or detracts from a female cat’s personality. In the case of male cats, they make better pets if desexed.
Under the Domestic Animals Act 2000 it is compulsory to desex all cats born after 21 June 2001, unless the owner of the cat obtains a licence to keep the cat sexually entire.
Although cats owned prior to 21 June 2001 will be exempt from compulsory desexing, it is strongly recommended that all pre-existing cats (unless kept specifically for breeding) be desexed. There is a requirement for a tattoo to be inserted in the cats ear at the time of desexing to indicate desexed status.
澳洲环境法案中关于绝育的条款