Rural City of Wangaratta Pound Contract

Published on 27 June 2023

Rural City of Wangaratta Pound Contract .png

Rural City of Wangaratta has confirmed that provision of Council’s Pound Services contract has been recently awarded to Albury Animal Welfare Centre, Albury Council following a fair and rigorous tender process. The contract will cover the next 2 years during which Council will be assessing the viability of establishing its own pound facility in Wangaratta.

In delivering pound services, the Rural City of Wangaratta's objective is to ensure the safety of domestic animals within our municipality and reunite them with their owners swiftly, safely and in a cost-effective way.

Brendan McGrath, Rural City of Wangaratta CEO, said Council maintains their ongoing commitment to the welfare of domestic animals and support of pet ownership.

"The primary aim of Council's provision of pound services for our community, is the safe return of as many animals as possible to their owners within 24 hours''.

Rural City of Wangaratta also encourages pet owners within the municipality ensure their pets are microchipped and their pet registration details are up to date.

“This is the fastest and easiest way to reunite pets with their owners within the first 24 hours of an animal coming into our care”. If animals are registered and microchipped, we will in fact often return them to owners without them being impounded at all, either in Wangaratta or Albury, which does not occur under the current arrangements.”, Mr McGrath added.

Rural City of Wangaratta Council will care for lost domestic animals for the first 24 hours in a holding facility in Wangaratta that meets Animal Victoria Standards, while efforts are made to return the pets to their rightful owners.

''Community members whose animals are taken to Albury after this period, are encouraged to contact Council and can arrange for the return of their animals through the animal transport service that will run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays each week”, Mr McGrath confirmed.

Pet owners wishing to collect their animals outside of these delivery days, may go directly to the Albury Animal Welfare Centre should they choose.

Rural City of Wangaratta strongly supports the RSPCA in their renewed focus on their core business – the prevention of the cruelty to animals.

"We look forward to continuing to work with the RSPCA on animal education programs and support programs” Mr McGrath confirmed.

The RSPCA will continue to be responsible for responding to Cruelty to Animal complaints and welcome community members to visit their website for any further information.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will be providing Council’s Pound Services from July 2023 and why?

  • Albury Animal Welfare Centre, Albury Council, was the successful tenderer for the Council contract to provide domestic animals pound services for the next to years commencing in July 2023.
  • The contract was awarded to Albury Animal Welfare Centre, Albury Council following a fair and rigorous tender process.
  • Albury’s tender submission was the only one within Council’s budget for this service and they have the facilities to provide the level of service and care Council requires.

What happens after the 2-year contract?

  • In the coming months, Council will be assessing the viability of establishing its own pound facility in Wangaratta beyond the 2-year contract period.
  • If found to be viable and subject to funding, the aim would be to establish the pound facility on a suitable site in Wangaratta.

What decision has the RSPCA made about their facility in Wangaratta?

  • The RSPCA has decided to close their Wangaratta Shelter Facility.
  • Council strongly supports the RSPCA in their renewed focus on their core business – the prevention of the cruelty to animals.
  • Council will continue to work with the RSPCA on Animal Education and Support Programs.
  • The RSPCA will still be responsible for responding to Cruelty to Animal complaints – see the RSPCA’s website for further information.
  • The RSPCA adoption services will still be available and enquires can be made through their website.

What service can the community expect from the new contract?

  • Council maintains our ongoing commitment to the welfare of domestic animals and support of responsible pet ownership.
  • The objective is to ensure the safety of domestic animals within our municipality and reunite them with their owners swiftly, safely and in a cost-effective way.
  • Council will care for lost domestic animals for the first 24 hours in a holding facility in Wangaratta that meets Animal Victoria Standards, while efforts are made to return the pets to their rightful owners.
  • Community members whose animals are taken to Albury after this period, are encouraged to contact Council and can arrange for the return of their animals through the animal transport service that will run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays each week.
  • Community member can also choose to collect their animals from Albury.

How exactly will this process work?

  • Council will look after and hold animals in our 24-hour holding facility in Wangaratta.
  • During this holding time, Council officers will try to contact the owner to return the animal to them.
  • Council Rangers will carry microchip scanning devices in their vehicles if they collect an animal, they will try to return the animal to the owner.
    • If animal is found out again - one formal warning with caution will be issued.
    • If animal is found at large on more than one occasions a fine will be issued.
  • Rural City of Wangaratta encourages pet owners to get their pets microchipped and ensure their pet registration details are up to date to facilitate the return of their animals within the first 24 hours
  • If Council officers cannot get animals back to owners within the 24-hour period due to:
    • Owner being uncontactable,
    • Information on the domestic animal register being incorrect or not up to date,
    • The animal not being registered,

    then Council will transport these animals to the Albury facility.

  • If needed, Council will transport animals they have not been able to return owners on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
  • If you have lost your domestic pet and it has been taken to the Albury Pound and you cannot get to Albury to collect your pet, arrangements can be made with Council officers to collect your pet to be brought back on the days that they are visiting the Albury facility.
  • Currently, under the RSPCA contract, officers pick up and drop off animals at the RSPCA facility in Wangaratta and the RSPCA contact the owners who then have to pay release fee and fine.

Can Albury Animal Welfare Centre provide this service to another State?

  • Albury Animal Welfare Shelter has been providing pound services to Wodonga, Indigo and Towong Shire Councils and they meet all Victorian Animal Welfare standards. 

What about the pets from Benalla?

  • The RSPCA and Benalla Council have their own agreement. The Rural City of Wangaratta Council does not know what this agreement is and any questions regarding this should be directed to the RSPCA and Benalla Council.
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