My pet has been impounded

Ensure you lodge a lost animal report with Council if your pet goes missing as this will assist Council staff to identify your pet if it arrives at the Animal Management Centre.

If you have been made aware that your pet has been taken to the Animal Management Centre you will have three days to collect your pet if Council has been unable to identify you as the animals's owner, or five days if Council has been able to ascertain who the animal's owner is. Some pets are held longer for investigative purposes.

If no one comes forward for the animal, the animal then becomes the property of Council and may be rehomed or euthanised.

Claiming your animal from the Animal Management Centre

You can claim your pet by contacting the Animal Management Centre and quoting the Animal ID number shown on the animal details screen. It is necessary to contact the Animal Management Centre prior to collection of your pet to arrange a suitable time and to ensure you are aware of any requirements before your pet is released.

When you collect your pet from the Animal Management Centre, you:

  • must bring a form of photo identification to collect the animal ie drivers licence, 18+ card, passport etc.
  • pay any fees associated with the care of your animal (pound fees and/or vet costs)
  • update and/or pay registration if your pet is a dog

The Animal Management Centre is a cashless facility and will only accept card payments. If you wish to pay cash, please attend a Customer Service Centre prior to collecting your animal from the Animal Management Centre.

If someone else is collecting your animal on your behalf, you:

  • must contact the Animal Management Centre to give Council permission to Council to release your pet to a third party
  • pay any fees associated with the care of your animal (pound fees and/or vet costs)
  • update and/or pay registration if your pet is a dog
  • have the person collecting your pet to bring a form of photo identification ie drivers licence, 18+ card, passport etc.

Council will not enter into any dispute over ownership of the animal should more than one person claim to be the owner.

While all care is taken at the Animal Management Centre, your pet has been away from your property and exposed to other animals both prior to and during its impoundment. It is recommended that you consider vaccinating your pet and consult your vet for advice.

Infringement Notices

After you collect your pet, a Local Laws Officer may contact you; or you may be issued with penalty infringement notices via post or in person for failing to comply with one or more of the following requirements:

  • failure to register or renew registration
  • failure to microchip
  • failure to prevent your animal wandering at large
  • failure to keep an animal under effective control
  • failure to provide an adequate enclosure

If you have difficulty paying your infringement please speak with Council’s Customer Service Centre in relation to applying for a voluntary instalment plan.

 

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