Most Australian pet owners have paid for desexing procedures out-of-pocket, according to new research by Compare the Market.
A survey of more than 1,000 Australians found that 65 per cent covered the cost themselves, while 19 per cent said their pet insurance policy partially or fully paid for the procedure. On average, Australians spent $289 to desex their pet.
Adrian Taylor, Executive General Manager of General Insurance at Compare the Market Australia, said pet insurance can help ease financial pressure on owners.
“The majority of pet owners pay out-of-pocket in order to desex their pets, but there are a variety of other potential costs associated with owning a dog or cat.
“One key oft-forgotten factor is whether owners can afford to pay veterinarian bills in full if your pet is sick, injured in an accident or needs emergency care.”
More than half of respondents cited preventing unwanted breeding as the primary reason for desexing, while a quarter said they did so to improve their pet’s health and lifespan. The survey also found that 12 per cent of pet owners with undesexed animals had experienced an unexpected litter.
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