Update on Milly

Milly is moving into a period of behavioural rehabilitation foster care with an experienced rescue partner, under the guidance of one of Victoria's most trusted and respected Board Certified Veterinary Behaviourist's & registered Veterinary Animal Behaviour Specialists engaged by the Lost Dogs’ Home for this purpose.

This decision follows extensive assessment by The Lost Dogs’ Home (LDH) behaviour team and external experts. While Milly has shown some positive signs, she continues to display poor emotional regulation, resulting in issues with arousal, and aggression to manage threats, fear and frustration.  

Under the Code of Practice, Milly cannot currently be rehomed or have ownership transferred. This foster arrangement is permitted because LDH retains legal ownership and the program will follow a detailed behaviour and training plan with ongoing progress reviews.

It’s important to understand that this is not a quick process; we will not have an answer on her outcome for weeks, possibly months, as her progress will depend entirely on ongoing behavioural assessments. 

During this time, we will provide updates where we can, but we will not be able to respond to individual emails about Milly’s wellbeing. We have hundreds of other animals in our care who also require our time and attention, and we appreciate your understanding.

Thank you to everyone who cares deeply about animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. Your concern for Milly is shared by all of us. 

FAQs Milly’s Rehabilitation Foster Care  

1. Why is Milly going to a rescue partner for behavioural rehabilitation foster care?

Milly has been continually assessed by The Lost Dogs’ Home behaviour team and external specialists. While living in a safe and supportive private home with a highly experienced behaviour foster carer, she has shown some positive signs but she still struggles with serious behavioural challenges. These include poor emotional regulation, resulting in issues with arousal, and aggression to manage threats, fear and frustration. The trusted rescue partner has the capacity to provide dedicated intensive behavioural rehabilitation program under expert guidance. 

2. Why did you choose this particular rescue as the partner?

The rescue partner, who have requested not to be named, has extensive experience supporting animals with complex behavioural needs. They have skilled foster carers, resources, and a strong commitment to structured rehabilitation programs. Importantly, they will work closely with the same veterinary behaviour specialist who has been guiding Milly’s care whom we have engaged for this period of behavioural foster care, ensuring continuity and expertise.

3. Where will Milly be living during rehabilitation?

Similar to her current environment, Milly will live in a private home environment with an experienced foster carer who can provide the structure and support outlined in her behaviour plan by our expert veterinary behaviour specialist. This setting helps her learn and practice skills in a safe, home-like environment rather than a shelter.

4. If Milly has aggression, why is she in the community?

Under the terms of her foster care agreement and as required by the Code of Practice Milly will not be placed in a public setting without her experienced foster carer or have unrestricted access to the community. She will live in a controlled, private home environment with an experienced foster carer who understands her needs and can manage her behaviour safely. This arrangement is designed to reduce stress and provide the best chance for progress while ensuring safety for people and other animals. The foster carer is aware of her behavioural needs and background.  

5. Does this mean Milly will eventually be adopted?

We hope that this intensive behavioural rehabilitation will help Milly develop the skills she needs to live safely and happily in a home environment. However, her future remains uncertain. Adoption will only be considered if ongoing behavioural assessments show she can be safely placed in the community. This process may take weeks or months, and there is no guarantee of the outcome.

6. How long will the rehabilitation take?

There is no set timeframe. Behavioural rehabilitation is a gradual process, and Milly’s progress will determine next steps. It may take weeks or even months before we know her outcome. 

7. What does a behavioural assessment look like?

Behavioural assessments involve observing and/or gathering information (i.e., surrender, information from previous owners, animal attendants, vet interactions) the dog in different situations to understand how they respond to people, other animals, and various environments. Specialists look for signs of fear, aggression, frustration, arousal and stress. These assessments may include monitoring during everyday activities, and feedback from foster carers. The goal is to identify triggers and develop a tailored behaviour plan, because behaviour by nature is changeable, it is important that assessments are performed over a period of time, to gather information and to assist in predicting behaviour

8. Will Milly remain on her anxiety medication during rehabilitation?

Yes. Milly will continue any prescribed medication as part of her behaviour management plan. Medication is often used alongside training and environmental changes to help reduce anxiety and improve her ability to learn new coping skills. Her veterinary behaviour specialist will monitor and adjust this as needed throughout the program.

9. Will you provide updates on Milly’s progress?

We will share updates when we can. However, we cannot provide daily or individual updates, as our team must focus on caring for the thousands of other animals we look after as well.

10. Can I email or call for more information about Milly?

We kindly ask that you do not email or call for individual updates. We will share information publicly when there is something significant to report. This helps us dedicate our time and resources to all animals in our care.

11. Why can’t Milly be adopted now?

The Code of Practice does not allow us to rehome or make available for sale any animals with serious behavioural concerns. This includes the transfer of legal ownership to a rescue partner. Milly's current behaviours as observed and assessed to date mean that she is not suitable for rehoming at this time.  

12. Who is the veterinary behavioural specialist and what is their role?

The veterinary behavioural specialist has also requested not to be named but they are one of Victoria's most trusted and respected Board Certified Veterinary Behaviourist's and registered Veterinary Animal Behaviour Specialists. They have been involved in Milly’s assessment and will continue to guide her rehabilitation program with our rescue partner.

13. What is the Code of Practice?

Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 (Vic), shelters and pounds must comply with the Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds established under that Act.  

Relevantly, the Code of Practice includes the following:

1. Behavioural and Health Assessment

• Every dog must be assessed for health and behaviour before being made available for rehoming or sale.
• Assessments must be conducted by trained staff using consistent, documented processes.

2. Unsuitable for Rehoming

• Dogs assessed as dangerous, aggressive, or unsuitable for rehoming must not be placed in the community.
• Dogs with untreatable medical conditions causing pain or suffering must not be rehomed.
• Decisions must prioritise animal welfare and community safety at all times.

3. Record Keeping

• All assessments, decisions, and outcomes must be documented and retained for compliance and transparency.