Lost animals

Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, cat and dog owners must ensure pets are securely confined to their property. Pets found wandering/roaming or cats that have been trapped will be impounded by an Authorised Officer.

If your pet is currently registered with Council

• Authorised Officers will attempt to make contact with the owner to return the pet
• If the owner is unable to be contacted, the pet may be impounded and pound release fees may apply

If your pet is not registered with Council but is microchipped

• The pet will be impounded
• Authorised Officers will attempt to contact the registered owner on the microchip
• Pound release and registration fee will apply before the pet can be released to the owner

If your pet is not registered with Council or microchipped

• The pet will be impounded
• The pet will be displayed on this 'lost animals' page
• Pound release, registration and microchipping fees will apply before the pet can be released to the owner
• You may also receive a fine for your pet being at large and for failing to register

Pound fees

The following fees may apply when collecting your pet from the pound.

All pets are required to be microchipped and registered before being released from the pound. Please ensure that your pets microchip details are up-to-date with the applicable microchip database.

If your pet was born after July 1 2020, you are required to provide a source number for your pet before it can be microchipped.  For more information or to obtain a source number, visit the Pet Exchange Register (Animal Welfare Victoria).

Pets enrich our lives in countless ways, becoming cherished members of our families. Providing a loving home to a rescued companion animal not only saves a life but is also very rewarding.

Dogs and cats can be re-homed if they are not claimed from the pound within 8 days.

To ensure health and well-being, each animal up for adoption gets:

• vet checked
• de-sexed
• microchipped
• vaccinated

An adoption fee will apply depending on the gender and weight of the animal.

Pets adopted from our Council pound receive complimentary registration for the first year, further supporting responsible pet ownership.

Pet exchange register ID: BR101264 (Robinvale) | BR101262 (Swan Hill).