RSPCA "de-sexing marathon" week

Cute pair: RSPCA’s Jeanette Poede and Rebecca Brazier cuddle Panda and Patch. Both puppies are ready to be adopted out to loving homes.

Craig Warhurst

THE fallout from a massive rescue of more than 244 dogs and puppies from a property at Wondai last September is still being felt as RSPCA Queensland undertakes a massive “de-sexing marathon” this week.

Due to so many of the females being pregnant, the RSPCA ended up with more than 400 dogs.

“It's a huge challenge, no doubt about that,” RSPCA Qld's senior veterinarian Dr Anne Chester said.

“On average it takes at least half an hour to de-sex each dog, longer if it's (an) older large breed and slightly less if it's a small male.

“Because of the dogs' history, the de-sexing operations tend to be more complicated than normal, especially if they have had a number of litters.

“We have 401 dogs to de-sex so you do the maths.”

The Wondai seizure created the biggest fostering exercise in RSPCA Queensland history.

Care of the animals has been costing almost $5000 a day, with foster carers being provided with dog food and any necessary veterinary treatment for the dogs.

Manager of Gympie's RSPCA shelter Rebecca Brazier said while there would probably not be a halfway house for any of the Wondai animals, they did have plenty of other beautiful dogs and puppies looking for loving homes right now.

Take Panda and Patch for example.

The sociable, exuberant cattle dog-cross puppies are squirming with health, are already de-sexed, microchipped, wormed, vaccinated and come with 28-day free pet insurance.

Rebecca said dogs and puppies at the Gympie shelter had been selling reasonably well, but staff would love to find good homes for more cats and kittens.

To find your next four legged companion go to the RSPCA Queensland adoptapet website (www.adoptapet.com.au) and enter Gympie in “shelter search”.