Lost a pet

The Lost Dogs’ Home operates two animal shelters in Victoria: 2 Gracie Street North Melbourne 3051 920 Thompsons Road Cranbourne West 3977

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.

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 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 following: • 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 processes 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.