The Lost Dogs Home currently provides pound services to the city of Darebin.
– In 2010, 276 unclaimed dogs were left at the facility.
85 were rehomed, while 169 were killed.
– In 2011, 231 unclaimed dogs were left at the Lost Dogs Home.
82 were rehomed, while 130 were killed.
– In 2012, 204 unclaimed dogs remained in LDH care.
73 were rehomed with new families, while 119 were killed.
Cats saw even worse outcomes.
– In 2010, 26 cats were rehomed, while 1,007 cats were killed.
– 2011 saw 79 cats rehomed, 924 killed.
– And 2012 saw 72 cats placed, and 762 cats – or still ten times as many – killed.
Thanks to backlash from their local community over these appallingly high kill rates, Council is now considering its options, including becoming a No Kill city, and requiring access be given to rescue groups to death row pets.
In short, Darebin is challenging the excuses for killing seen at high-kill pounds, and is looking to engage the local community in solutions.
“A Darebin Council policy change will save hundreds of lost, abandoned or stray cats and dogs from being put to death in animal shelters.
Rucker Ward Councillor Trent McCarthy said the council also had long-term plans to set up a local animal shelter in partnership with animal rescue groups with a view to becoming a ‘no-kill’ municipality.
…
Last year a report in Preston Leader about how Reservoir resident Dean Nicholson’s beloved 15-year-old cat Bubba was mistaken for a stray and taken to the Lost Dog’s Home and euthanised prompted Darebin pet lovers to form the lobby group, Save Our Pets.Spokesperson Kathleen Chapman said the group welcomed the council’s new policy, which also requires council to notify neighbouring residents about feral cat trapping.
“I’d like to see the council commit to end killing of all companion animals – this has already been achieved at Stonnington,” Ms Chapman said.”
The Age newspaper ran a front page feature on the new plans, along with an online video outlining council’s strategy including; a Facebook page and photographs of lost pets, a releasing a ‘kill list’ to local rescue groups (presumably guaranteeing access, which given at the moment the Lost Dogs Home refuse to release to rescue is a huge breakthrough) and the fact the council is looking at moving towards a ‘No Kill’ policy.
While an article in the Preston and Northcote Leader also celebrated the idea of a No Kill future for the pets of the Darebin Council.
I’d just like to take the opportunity to congratulate everyone involved in getting this issue on both the agenda of the Darebin local council, and in getting the story picked up by the major media.
How do we make Australia a No Kill Nation? One community at a time.
