Purr-fect news: City offers free incentive for cat owners

Monday, 19 May 2025

The City of Greater Geelong is offering free registration for local cats involved in the Fix a Feline Friend for Free initiative.

In partnership with Animal Welfare Victoria, Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS) is offering 120 free desexing and microchipping procedures to local cats.

To be eligible for a voucher, cat owners must be 18+, hold a current Centrelink pension/concession card and live in the City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Golden Plains Shire or Borough of Queenscliffe. Free registration is only applicable to those living in Greater Geelong.

Nearly 2,000 kittens and cats came to GAWS last year due to overpopulation, wandering and behavioural problems.

Spaying (for females) and neutering (for males) prevents unwanted litters, reduces aggression, improves lifespan and lessens the risk of some medical conditions.

Up-to-date registration helps the City’s Animal Management and GAWS teams return lost and/or injured cats to their owners as quickly as possible.

Check out the full eligibility criteria for Fix a Feline Friend for Free. Call the National Desexing Network on 1300 368 992 to apply for a voucher.

Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM

The City is proud to provide further incentive for cat owners to apply for a voucher.

Desexing is a responsible and compassionate choice while registration ensures your cat has a ticket home when lost.

We are offering free registration to cats in the Fix a Feline Friend for Free program to increase access to this vital service.

Registering your cat isn't just a legal requirement; it ensures their safety and helps reunite lost pets with their families – a registered pet is a protected pet.

GAWS CEO Helen Cocks

The free desexing program - Fix a Feline Friend for Free - is part of GAWS’ commitment to providing services which enable responsible animal ownership and improve the wellbeing of both people and their pet companions.

The wellbeing of both our community and pets is important to GAWS and we are pleased to be able to offer this free cat desexing and microchipping service.

This initiative will help those who would like to desex their cat but are not in the financial position to do so.

It will improve the health and wellbeing of the cat, reduce the number of unwanted cat pregnancies and reduce pressure on already crowded animal shelters.

Greater Geelong has one of the largest animal populations of any Victorian municipality, with 46,000 registered cats and dogs in 2024.

Consultation wrapped up last month on our Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-29 which will outline how the City can support responsible pet ownership and animal wellbeing.





Page last updated: Monday, 19 May 2025

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