All Orange residents who own a cat are eligible to make a booking for their pet to be desexed under the program from May 3.

By contacting Council, a booking can be made at a local vet who will perform the procedure at the reduced fee of $60.

In previous rounds, pensioners were the only people eligible to claim the discount for their cats, however this year more funding for the Companion Animals Committee has allowed Council to broaden the scope.

Companion Animals Committee Chair Cr Stephen Nugent said he was pleased more people would have access to the program.

"Previously we've organised for about 50 to 60 cats to be desexed per year, and we're hoping to match that number this time," Cr Nugent said.

"Our funding is capped so it's strictly a first-in-best-dressed system.

"Calculations show it is possible for one non-desexed cat and its offspring to produce nearly 3,000 cats in seven years.

"Owners of cats have a responsibility to have their pets desexed, for the cat's welfare, the welfare of wildlife and the welfare of future kittens.

"For $60 cat owners can have their cat desexed and avoid a range of potential health complications for their pet for years to come."

People wishing to take advantage of the program should come to Orange City Council's Byng Street office and book and pay for the procedure for their cat through Council's customer service team.

The $60 fee includes desexing for one male or one female cat, per Orange household, as well as lifetime registration.

If the cat is not microchipped an extra $17 will be charged to microchip the pet.

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