By Lachlan Ellis<\/p>\n
A record number of dogs have arrived at pounds across Victoria over a 12-month period, but Moorabool has \u2018fur-tunately\u2019 been an exception to the sad statistics.<\/p>\n
A surge in surrendered dogs began just before Christmas last year and has shown no sign of slowing down, with close to 150 dogs a month this year compared to 50 dogs towards the end of 2021.<\/p>\n
RSPCA Victoria has reported this month that its shelters are operating at capacity for the first time since 2017, due to a number of factors including \u201cfewer reclaims of stray and lost animals that come to RSPCA via councils, more animals with behaviours that require retraining prior to adoption and a decline in adoption applications\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us, it really is a perfect storm that is impacting our ability to move animals into their forever homes, which we know is the best place for them,\u201d RSPCA Victoria Animal Care Manager, Nadia Peiris, said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn fact, while dogs and cats make up the majority of the animals in our care, RSPCA Victoria is currently operating at capacity for all animals. The public can help us by coming into our shelters to adopt dogs, cats, rabbits or guinea pigs.\u201d<\/p>\n
To ease pressure on its shelters, RSPCA Victoria ran \u2018Hundred Dollar Hounds\u2019 on Saturday 20 August,\u00a0 adopting out microchipped, vaccinated, desexed and behaviour checked dogs for just $100.<\/p>\n
But Moorabool Shire\u2019s figures for dog impoundments have not skyrocketed in the way many other Victorian LGAs\u2019 have, with Council CEO Derek Madden praising local dog owners for helping Moorabool avoid the issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe figures on impoundments for dogs this June\/July are very similar to last year\u2019s June\/July figures. It\u2019s great we\u2019re not seeing an increase in dogs being surrendered as other parts of the state are. We thank all the very responsible pet owners in our Shire,\u201d Mr Madden told the Moorabool News.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have had some instances of surrendered dogs being hard to rehome, so if you are thinking of giving a rescue dog a \u2018fur-ever\u2019 home, please check in with us as we may have your next pet right here waiting for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
To pick up a pet at Council\u2019s domestic animal pound in Maddingley, call 5366 7100 to book an appointment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Lachlan Ellis A record number of dogs have arrived at pounds across Victoria over a 12-month period, but Moorabool has \u2018fur-tunately\u2019 been an exception to the sad statistics. A surge in surrendered dogs began just before Christmas last year and has shown no sign of slowing down, with close to 150 dogs a month […]<\/p>\n