LOST pooches will be quickly reunited with Kingston municipality owners who nominate a second and third contact for registered pets.
Kingston councillors at the 23 July public council meeting unanimously backed a move to have wandering pets picked up by council rangers returned to owners’ workplaces or emergency contact addresses.
Lost pets were previously often taken to Cranbourne’s Lost Dogs Home for collection later by owners.
”Our officers will now be able to drop the dog at the owner’s workplace or to an emergency contact if they are available to take the dog within 30 minutes,” Kingston mayor Cr Steve Staikos said.
“This change will save dog owners time and money as they will no longer have to travel to Cranbourne and pay a release fee to the pound.
“You can also nominate two alternative contact people for council to return your dog to if you are not available.”
Lost and damaged dog tags will also now be replaced by council free of charge for registered animals.
“For several years council has been able to successfully reunite 100 per cent of registered lost dogs with their owners, so I encourage all owners to have their animals registered,” Cr Staikos said.
Council will also introduce a first-time warning notice that will be issued to owners of registered dogs found wandering at large.
“Pets can make a positive contribution to our community and Council wants to make it easier for Kingston residents to be responsible pet owners,” Cr Staikos said.
For more information on pet ownership and registration see kingston.vic.gov.au/pets online.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 1 August 2018
