Charles Sturt University (CSU) researchers are part of a team investigating non-surgical de-sexing to help address problems created by unwanted and stray animals.

The researchers from CSU, Monash University and the University of Melbourne have developed a vaccine to prevent animals reaching sexual maturity and need litters of pups to test it on.

Lecturer from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga, veterinarian Dr Allan Gunn said surgical neutering can be expensive and requires expertise and equipment.

"Every year thousands of un-wanted cats and dogs are euthanised," said Dr Gunn. "In other areas feral cats cause environmental problems and stray dogs pose health risks, including the spread of rabies.

"According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) there are between 20 million and 600 million stray animals globally.

"This isn't just a problem overseas. Wandering dogs in Australian urban areas, regional centres, and in remote Indigenous communities can cause problems of noise, scavenging and attacks on humans.

"Any type of surgery comes with a risk and neutering is no exception, so anything that can decrease the risk of surgery will be beneficial to the animal.

"It's hoped that a low-cost vaccine will make it easier for people to de-sex their pets and allow for better animal control in areas where strays are a problem," said Dr Gunn.

The researchers need pups less than one week old to participate in the vaccine trials and they will be monitored for the next two years.

Dogs taking part in the trial will receive free worming, a health check and the routine health vaccinations for parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis.

The CSU researchers involved in the trial are Dr Allan Gunn, Associate Professor Dr Scott Norman and lecturer Dr Cyril Perumamthadathil and they are based at CSU in Wagga Wagga.

To take part in the trial contact Dr Gunn via email or telephone (02) 6933 2711.