The Home provides exceptional care and quality vet services to lost and stray pets on behalf of the local government bodies. While aspired to return your pets quickly, we are obligated to follow councils’ laws and relevant regulations.
The shelters may release your pet if the following conditions are met:
- You can prove whom you say you are; and
- You can verify the ownership of the animal; and
- The dog or cat is microchipped; and
- The animal is desexed, as per councils’ requirements; and
- Proof the animal is registered with council OR proof of address for in shelter registration (please see section 7 for applicable councils); and
- Applicable fees are paid. Scroll down for payment options.
To avoid disappointment, before visiting shelters and collect your pet, please prepare these items:
- Proof of identity; and
- Proof of ownership of the animal; and
- Proof of council registration; and
- Payments for relevant fees.
Please be aware, as per the Domestic Animals Act 1994, impounded animals are held for a statutory 8 day stray holding period. Your pet MUST be reclaimed during this 8 day period.
A valid identity enables the next steps. To ensure pets are returned to the rightful owners, we are unable to release them without acceptable forms of proof.
We are only able to accept photo ID such as :
- Driving license; or
- Passport; or
- Proof of age card; and
- Proof of current address if different from that shown on ID, such as an electricity or phone bill in your name.
In exceptional circumstances, when photo IDs are not available. There is another option for personal identification. We accept 100 points of ID.
Pet owners have rights and obligations by law. Given a satisfactory proof of identity, an owner status allows access to reclaim the animal. We are unable to release the impounded animal without satisfactory proof of ownership.
We are unable to accept photos or videos as the only proof of ownership. Documents with names of your partner or families do not help establish your ownership status.
Possible evidence of ownership including, but not limited to:
- Council animal registration or documentation; or
- Vet bills/vaccination history (this must include owner details and sufficient pet details); or
- Certificate of ownership from Microchip Registry if signed by previous owner.
- Certificate or proof of sales (this must include sufficient owner details and sufficient pet details);
If you are unsure if your proof of ownership is sufficient, we encourage you to email the documentation to reception@dogshome.com , for our team to review.
If an owner is unable to attend the shelter to collect their animal, they may authorise a third party to collect the animal on their behalf.
Please ensure that the current owner has given permission for you to reclaim on their behalf. This can be in writing or over the phone with our Customer Experience Team, along with a copy of the owners ID.
If you are collecting an animal on the owner’s behalf, please present these documents:
- A copy of the owner’s photo identification (front and back) and proof of address if different from that on ID.
- A copy of your own photo identification.
By law, domestic dogs and cats in the state of Victoria are required to register with their residential councils. We are unable to release pets without current council registrations.
Before visiting our shelters, you can either:
- Drop into your council offices and register your pet with Customer Service; or
- Register your pet online if your council has this option; or
- For some councils, Registration can be completed at The Lost Dogs’ Home (check the list of councils below); or
- Check at home for proof of registration such as a Council bill or receipt or bank statement showing where payment was made. (This document must contain sufficient animal details, along with proof of payment).
To register your pet, you may need the followings:
- Microchip Certificate
- Desexing Certificate (proof from a vet clinic that your pet has been desexed);
- Some councils require mandatory desexing for cats and some for both dogs and cats; you will need to provide proof of your pets desexing status in these circumstances.
Proof of your address and identity.
The reclaim fee is specific for each animal. In the state of Victoria, some fees are collected on the councils’ behalf. And in some cases, additional services provided by The Home are to be paid for. These fees vary depending on which council area you live in, and whether the council has a mandatory desexing law.
Some expected fees include:
- Council Release Fee – this fee is collected on behalf of council to cover the cost of impounding your animal;
- Council Registration Fee – this fee on behalf of council, if the Home process your council registration on the spot. The service is available for partner councils only;
- Microchipping Fee – if dogs or cats need to be microchipped;
- Desexing Fee – if dogs or cats need to be desexed;
- Other veterinary fees – in cases of illness or injury.
Note: Some council release fees increase daily based on the length of stay at The Lost Dogs Home. To avoid extra costs, please come and collect your pet at your earliest convenience.
Acceptable forms of payments include:
- Cash
- EFT – debit or credit card (we do not accept American Express)
- Afterpay
- Zip Pay
The Home offers a range of financial assistance options, if your circumstances mean that you are unable to meet the above criteria, please call us for further assistance, on 03 9329 2755.
Councils listed below have authorised Lost Dogs’ Home to process pet registrations on their behalf. If your pets reside in these councils, the Home can help register your pets at our shelters at time of release.
- Bayside City Council,
- Brimbank City Council,
- City of Greater Bendigo,
- Cardinia Shire Council,
- Casey City Council,
- Frankston City Council,
- City of Greater Dandenong,
- Hobsons Bay City Council,
- Hume City Council,
- Kingston City Council,
- Macedon Ranges Shire Council,
- Maribyrnong City Council,
- City of Melbourne,
- Melton City Council,
- Moonee Valley City Council,
- Port Phillip City Council,
- Surf Coast Shire Council,
- Wyndham City Council,
- Yarra City Council.
Download or print our Reclaim lost pets factsheet.