Dog desexing project closing in on century mark

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

NEARLY 100 dogs have been desexed so far through the Fred Lewis Enterprise Foundation desexing project.

Enterprise Motor Group last month committed to donating $600,000 over the next five years as the major sponsor of the foundation for the programme to desex female and dangerous dogs in the Gisborne/Wairoa area.

Enterprise Motor Group’s Fred Lewis said the demand had been excellent.

“The desexing programme is very busy, and I hope people will be patient having to wait,” he says.

The programme provides a free service for owners who cannot afford to desex their dogs.

Care Vets, which is a partner in the programme, is gearing up to cope with the demand.

Mr Lewis apologised for the waiting list but said their priority was desexing dogs in the pound that faced the risk of being destroyed. The objective of the foundation was to save dogs’ lives.

The foundation will fund applications from people in financial hardship, Gold Card holders and Community Service Card holders.

It is working closely with local entities such as Gisborne District Council, Mutts and Moggies, Gisborne SPCA and the Canine Company.