Lost and found pets

Step 1.What you can do

It is always recommended that you contact your local shelter and search the area for your pet. As a pet owner, it is your legal obligation to identify your lost pet at the pound facility.

Step 2.How Council can help

If our officers pick up your pet and it's wearing its registration tag, is currently registered and has no history over the past 12 months then, under our Return to Home policy, our officer has the discretion to contact you and arrange the return of your pet.

Please make sure your contact details are up to date by contacting us. If you haven't heard from Council's animal management service, please contact The Lost Dogs Home. 

If you don't think your pet was wearing its registration tag, the Lost Dogs Home keeps a list of dogs and cats that have been found. 

Step 3.Who else can I contact?

Your animal can be picked up by another organisation or even a neighbouring Council. See the Places to contact tab to find out where you can call for information.

Step 1.What you can do 

If you find a lost pet, please note down the number on the registration tag if it is safe to do so. You can then contact us and we will attempt to locate the owner for you. 

Step 2.How Council can help

There are a number of reasons why Council is the best first point of call for lost pets, including: 

• Council keeps records of pet details, including history and can work with owners to help resolve re-occurring issues  
• Council can help ensure the dog goes to the correct owner 
• posting on a ‘lost pets’ page may not be seen by owners who don't have social media 
• English is not always the first language of pet owners 
• some breeders will reclaim their former animals to re-sell
• roaming pets are at risk of being attacked by other animals
• some animals need medications and keeping them overnight can put their health at risk
• Council’s priority is the safety of the community, including pet safety 

Step 3.Found a deceased pet

If you have found a deceased animal on a road or nature strip, please contact a local vet or call us on 1300 322 322.