It will soon be compulsory for shelters and council pounds to report a variety of new data on the cats and dogs coming into their care — including the number euthanised, reclaimed by the owner, put into foster care or re-homed.
If an animal is euthanised, the reason for euthanasia must be reported.
Victoria will become the first state to start collecting and publishing such comprehensive data, which will be made available online via a statewide report.
Previously shelters had to record this data and file it for five years, but did not have to publish it or report the data to government.
The goal is to improve transparency and promote responsible re-homing of animals.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas was at the Geelong Animal Welfare Society when she announced these changes to the Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds.
In addition to the new code, the government will increase transparency in the re-homing sector in response to recommendations from the Taskforce on Re-homing Pets.
The current Victorian Government has spent a record $18.6 million on supporting animal care and protection in the Victorian Budget 2022-23.