Commitment #2
What is our goal?
To accept every animal seeking safety and shelter with us.
Where are we now?
Green
We are achieving this commitment.
Perfomance highlight 2022/2023
18032
animals cared for
706
Of which, were transferred to our trusted rescue partners
0
animals turned away
Recent updates
2 May 2022
We recently took part in the Victorian Government's consultation process as part of the Reuniting Lost Pets Review, in support of changes in legislation that makes sure lost pets get returned home sooner.
The subsequent change means Victorians will be able to take a lost dog or cat to a participating vet clinic to be reunited with its owner.
As it stands, lost cats and dogs have to be handed to an authorised officer in the council area where the animal was found, or to vets and shelters that have an agreement under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
Just 23% of vets have a contract with a council to accept lost pets, the reform will allow shelters and participating vets to accept and reunite lost pets directly with their owners, with simple record keeping and reporting requirements.
We have policies and standard operating procedures in place that ensure no animal is turned away based on their age, health, or temperament. We may need to turn an animal away if we are at capacity across all accommodation options and simply do not have space.
Where do we need to be?
Maintaining our ability to accept every animal needing our help
How will we advance?
- Educate the community on responsible pet guardianship through planned and persistent advocacy and communications campaigns.
- Actively advocate for changes in legislation in support of this journey.
- Support families with pets to be able to keep their animals, or to find new homes for them. Only surrendering their animal to a shelter as a last resort.
- Work with our Council partners and advocate for unproblematic lost animals to be returned straight home, not placed into the shelter system.
- Continue to exponentially increase our foster care network and cultivate our rescue partnerships
- Advocate for greater regulation of rescues, so we can have confidence that best outcomes are being met when placing our animals with partner rescues
- Increase the skills and experience of our foster carers to be able to care for animals with more complex health and behavioural needs.