City of Mount Gambier has reunited 93 per cent of wandering dogs with their owners since it began operating its own dog pound on July 1 last year.<\/p>\n
Council\u2019s impounding facility is approved by the Dog and Cat Management Board under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 for impounding up to four dogs at any one time for the legislated holding period of 72 hours and beyond.<\/p>\n
During council\u2019s stewardship, staff have collected 195 dogs with 182 being returned to their rightful owners without the need for impounding.<\/p>\n
City of Mount Gambier general manager corporate and regulatory services Jane Fetherstonhaugh said council had established the City of Mount Gambier Impounded Dogs Facebook page to help.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe return rate demonstrates just how dedicated our council officers are,\u201d Mrs Fetherstonhaugh said. \u201cThey really do go above and beyond to return the dogs back to their homes.”<\/p>\n
Seven dogs have been transferred to rehoming partners after the mandatory holding timeframe, and five dogs have been fostered since the start of the financial year.<\/p>\n
Council has agreements in place with three rehoming partners including Wet Noses Animal Rescue, Dusty Paws Dog Rescue and the latest Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was established between City of Mount Gambier, District Council of Grant and Southern Grampians Shire Council.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have sent four dogs across to the Hamilton based pound,\u201d Mrs Fetherstonhaugh said. \u201cSimilar to our other agreements with Wet Noses Animal Rescue and Dusty Paws Dog Rescue, City of Mount Gambier pays a fee towards the costs of rehoming the dogs we transfer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Southern Grampians Shire Council CEO Tony Doyle said Council was pleased to partner with City of Mount Gambier and District of Grant Council in this important program.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur team at Southern Grampians has worked hard to establish its successful animal rehoming program over the last few years, finding loving new homes for many animals,\u201d Mr Doyle said. \u201cWe are pleased to now be able to expand the service to include Mount Gambier and Grant Councils and we look forward to a long and successful partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n
All dogs receive a veterinary check, microchip and vaccination prior to transfer.<\/p>\n
\u201cMount Gambier residents still have the opportunity to adopt dogs listed for rehoming through the Hamilton pound, and council will share the details on our City of Mount Gambier Impounded Dogs Facebook page,\u201d Mrs Fetherstonhaugh said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDiscussions are currently underway with a fourth potential rehoming partner. Having multiple partnerships is important as it assists in situations where organisations may reach full capacity and are unable to accommodate additional animals.<\/p>\n
Council continues to explore future options and improvements to its impounding facility.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
City of Mount Gambier has reunited 93 per cent of wandering dogs with their owners since it began operating its own dog pound on July 1 last year. Council\u2019s impounding facility is approved by the Dog and Cat Management Board under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 for impounding up to four dogs at […]<\/p>\n