Animal Management Update

City of Mount Gambier has reunited 93 per cent of wandering dogs with their owners since it began operating its own dog pound on 1 July 2023.

Council’s impounding facility is approved by the Dog and Cat Management Board under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 for impounding up to four dogs at any one time for the legislated holding period of 72 hours and beyond.

“Council has been operating the pound for more than seven months now. During that time, the General Inspectorate team have collected 195 dogs wandering at large and have returned 182 dogs to their owners without requiring impoundment,” General Manager Corporate and Regulatory Services Jane Fetherstonhaugh said.

"We have established the City of Mount Gambier Impounded Dogs Facebook page to help us do this, and the return rate demonstrates just how dedicated our Council officers are. They really do go above and beyond to return the dogs back to their homes."

Seven dogs have been transferred to rehoming partners after the mandatory holding timeframe, and five dogs have been fostered since the start of the financial year.

Council has agreements in place with three rehoming partners including Wet Noses Animal Rescue, Dusty Paws Dog Rescue and the latest Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was established between City of Mount Gambier, District Council of Grant and Southern Grampians Shire Council.

Southern Grampians Shire Council runs an established rehoming program from its Hamilton pound. The Council also provides pound and rehoming services to Moyne Shire Council and had the existing framework and process in place to ensure a seamless partnership between the Shire, City and Grant Councils.

“We have sent four dogs across to the Hamilton based pound,” Mrs Fetherstonhaugh said.

“Similar to our other agreements with Wet Noses Animal Rescue and Dusty Paws Dog Rescue, City of Mount Gambier pays a fee towards the costs of rehoming the dogs we transfer.”

Southern Grampians Shire Council CEO Tony Doyle said Council was pleased to partner with City of Mount Gambier and District of Grant Council in this important program.

“Our team at Southern Grampians has worked hard to establish its successful animal rehoming program over the last few years, finding loving new homes for many animals. We are pleased to now be able to expand the service to include Mount Gambier and Grant Councils and we look forward to a long and successful partnership,” Mr Doyle said.

The MoU is in accordance with Council’s Unclaimed Dog Policy. All dogs receive a veterinary check, microchip and vaccination prior to transfer.

“Mount Gambier residents still have the opportunity to adopt dogs listed for rehoming through the Hamilton pound, and Council will share the details on our City of Mount Gambier Impounded Dogs Facebook page.”

“Discussions are currently underway with a fourth potential rehoming partner. Having multiple partnerships is important as it assists in situations where organisations may reach full capacity and are unable to accommodate additional animals,” Mrs Fetherstonhaugh said.

Council continues to explore future options and improvements to its impounding facility.

“Council can continue to operate in this manner while current legislation is in place, or until such time as a state-wide solution is developed for the sector. However, when legislative changes occur that may introduce cat management to Council’s obligations, Council will need to review its operations accordingly, which may mean the development of an additional pound.”

Media contact: City of Mount Gambier Media and Communications Coordinator Sharny McLean on 0413 798 327 or smclean@mountgambier.sa.gov.au