SOME Collie residents will have an extra incentive to sterilise and microchip their cats this month.
Collie Shire Council in conjunction with Collie Veterinary Hospital is offering pensioners a discount voucher to help with the cost.
Under the program known as Catsnip, concession rates of $20 will apply for male cats and $30 for female cats who are not pregnant or in season.
From November 1 last year, new laws came into force in WA requiring all cats that are six months old to be micochipped, sterilised and registered with the local council.
The laws are aimed at reducing the number of unwanted kittens born every year that end up in council pounds and are eventually put down.
"Cats are also required to wear a collar and registration tag to make sure that those that have owners can easily be identified and quickly returned to their owners," Collie Shire ranger Leigh O'Connor said.
He said this was especially useful to help return family pets that had wandered out of the house and had been caught in traps meant for feral cats.
There is a limit of one voucher per family and the offer is available until April 30.
For more information contact Collie Shire on 9734 9000 or Collie Community Rangers on 0408 931 274.