The Lost Dogs’ Home is calling on Victorians to avoid making impulse decisions when adopting pets as new data shows an increase in dogs and cats being returned and surrendered to its Cranbourne and North Melbourne shelters.
Latest data showed:
– In a comparison from June to July this year, the Home recorded a 30 per cent increase in pets being either returned after being adopted or surrendered by their owners.
– A large surge in online enquiries for community queries on how to surrender pets. Surrender Pet Enquiries had the largest month-on-month increase in clicks, with clicks increasing by 46 per cent.
– A decrease in public queries about how to access dog behaviour training with interest in this area falling by 50 per cent.
Cranbourne shelter supervisor Allie Small said although there are circumstances where the surrender of animals was unavoidable it was disappointing that it appeared that in some cases animals were not being given the chance to settle into their new environments.
“Research shows it can take anywhere between three weeks to three months for a pet to settle into a new home.
“We are asking the community to ask for help if they need it and give your pets a real chance to thrive in their new homes.”
Ms Small said although the Home had a stringent adoption policy check list, it was impossible to safeguard against people who were over the ‘’honeymoon period’’.
“Adopting a pet can be exciting, it can be fun but it’s not a game, it’s not a social media photo opportunity, it’s a lifetime commitment and one we expect people to honour.
“If you are having trouble with your pet there is help. Just reach out.”
