Greater Shepparton City Council is seeking input from the community on responsible pet ownership and the issues of most interest in domestic animal management.
Creation of the new Domestic Animal Management Plan 2022–2025 (DAMP) will outline community education and enforcement initiatives relating to emergency services, responsible pet ownership, animal welfare, dog attacks, dangerous dogs, puppy farms, wandering cats and dogs, officer training, and the Shepparton Animal Shelter.
Council's Animal Management department plays an important leadership role in supporting and promoting responsible pet ownership and best practice animal welfare standards.
Over the past four years, the animal management team has achieved significant outcomes from Council's current Domestic Animal Management Plan, including:
- the delivery of four new Ranger vehicles enabling safe transport of animals
- supporting and caring for over 2,000 animals per year at the Shepparton Animal Shelter
- responding to over 2,000 requests and reports from the community per year
- monitored and inspected all declared dangerous, menacing and guard dogs
- upgraded the cat holding facilities at the Shepparton Animal Shelter
- monitored and audited all domestic animal businesses
- implemented new puppy farm legislation
- provided a 24hr animal emergency response service
- successfully prosecuted 100% of serious dog attack incidents at court
- promptly investigating animal welfare, cruelty and puppy farm reports
- provided ongoing animal management support at bushfire locations
- increased the number of animals that were rehomed
- continued to decrease euthanasia rates
- issued desexing vouchers to those in need
- worked with dog owners to reduce impound rates
Council is now seeking input from both pet owners and members of our community without pets to help guide our animal management services over the next four years.
"We encourage anyone who has an interest in domestic animal management to provide their opinions in the online survey," said Manager Environment, Sharon Terry.
The survey is open until Monday 29 November and can be found at shaping Greater Shepparton.
