The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions is encouraging Victorians to share their views on proposed new laws to allow vets and animal shelters to legally reunite lost pets with their owners.
The Department said that under Victoria’s existing laws, any lost cat or dog must be taken to a local Council authorised officer.
“Only vets or animal shelters holding a special agreement with their local Council are currently allowed to contact the owner directly and reunite them with their pet,” the Department said.
“These outlets are often not easily identifiable by the public,” it said.
“Animal Welfare Victoria is looking at changes that would allow lost cats and dogs dropped off at veterinary clinics or registered animal shelters to be reunited with their owners sooner.”
The Department said the proposed reforms aimed to reduce stress on animals and their owners as well as reduce regulatory, administrative and resource burdens on Councils, veterinary clinics and registered animal shelters.
“Community safety, privacy and the welfare of the animals will need to be carefully considered and protected,” it said.
It said that if ownership data linked to an animal’s microchip were not current, a vet may inadvertently contact and provide the pet to a previous owner.
“This can compromise public safety through people on family violence orders attempting to locate others through pet microchip data or registration details,” the Department said.
The Department’s 14-page Reuniting Lost Pets Review as well as information on how to join in the consultation can be accessed at this PS News link.
