The State’s pet rehoming sector is to be reformed to ensure Victoria’s pets find a loving forever home forever.
Releasing the Government’s response to the Taskforce on Rehoming Pets report, Minister for Agriculture, Mary-Anne Thomas said the State supported all 17 of the Taskforce’s recommendations to improve the rehoming of dogs and cats, including those used in medical research.
“Unlike shelters and pounds, the rehoming sector is not currently required to meet specific standards of care or operation,” Ms Thomas said.
“The Taskforce recommended regulating the rehoming sector to establish consistent standards of care and operation and improving transparency in the movement of animals between shelters, pounds and rescue groups,” she said.
“Government will work in partnership with the pet rehoming and animal welfare sectors to deliver this important work.”
Ms Thomas said the State would work to improve collaboration and information‑sharing between shelters, council pounds and rehoming groups.
The Minister said Government would also consider better support for the rehoming for dogs and cats used in research and undertake a review of the use of euthanasia for animals with treatable or manageable health conditions.
The Taskforce’s 26-page Report can be accessed at this PS News link and the State’s seven-page response at this link.
