Calls have been made for Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong councils to stop sending lost cats and dogs to Melbourne’s Lost Dogs’ Home amid growing community concerns about its high kill rate.
The North Melbourne shelter has been accused of wrongful and unnecessary euthanasia after revelations that nearly half all unclaimed dogs were killed last year.
Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford last week announced her department would investigate concerns about practices and animal management at the home, which provides pound services for 13 Victorian councils.
Lost Dogs’ Home chairman Andrew Tribe said the shelter welcomed the investigation and would review its policies and practices with the aim of reducing the numbers of animals “put to sleep”.
More than 11,000 people have signed a Change.org petition calling for an inquiry into why the shelter is killing so many dogs when owners are searching for them, with rescue groups pleading to be able to rehouse them.
Seabrook resident May Pax said she was concerned that once an animal had been held by the home for eight days, it could be killed, even if it was microchipped.
“Hobsons Bay council needs to either drop its contract with the Lost Dogs’ Home or, at the least, apply pressure to ensure our pets have a greater chance of survival.
“Darebin council has put an additional term in its contract with the Lost Dogs’ Home that all animals be offered to a rescue group or placed for adoption before being euthanised.”
Hobsons Bay chief executive Chris Eddy said the council would await the outcome of the investigation. “In the time that Hobsons Bay has worked with the Lost Dogs’ Home, we have never had any reason for concern in terms of their animal welfare practices,” Mr Eddy said.
Maribyrnong council director Nigel Higgins said every effort was made to reunite lost pets with their owners before unclaimed animals were sent to the Lost Dogs’ Home.
