A western region animal pound may be built to ease the strain on the Lost Dogs’ Home.
Cats and dogs impounded in Hobsons Bay are sent to the home in North Melbourne.
Dogs are held for eight days while cats do not have to be held for any length of time and may be euthanased immediately if deemed feral.
Ninety five per cent of cats picked up by rangers in Hobsons Bay are unregistered.
About 85 per cent of cats and 14 per cent of dog are euthanased.
Hobsons Bay’s chief executive, Chris Eddy, is a member of a working group investigating the establishment of a regional pound in partnership with other western suburbs councils.
“This is to address the growing numbers of animals being impounded with increasing population growth in the west in general,” he said.
Lost Dogs’ Home spokeswoman Kate Hoelter said a new pound would reduce the rates of euthanasia.
“Of course, as Melbourne grows and spreads, providing quality, convenient animal welfare-focused services to the community is important, to help maximise the number of lost pets reunited with their owners and to find loving new homes for unclaimed and unwanted dogs and cats,” Ms Hoelter said.
