The Labor government will reform the pet rehoming sector to ensure even more of Victoria’s pets, like those in Hume and Whittlesea find a loving forever home.
There were 17 recommendations made to improve the rehoming of dogs and cats in Victoria, including those used in medical research.
The taskforce recommended regulating the rehoming sector to establish consistent standards of care and operation and improving transparency in the movement of animals between shelters, pounds and rescue groups.
As part of implementation activities, the state government will improve collaboration and information‑sharing between shelters, council pounds and rehoming groups.
They will also consider better support for rehoming of dogs and cats used in research and undertake a review of the use of euthanasia for animals with treatable or manageable health conditions.
The Victorian Budget 2022/23 invests $18.6 million in animal welfare initiatives, including the implementation of these recommendations.
Agriculture minister Mary-Anne Thomas said: “I look forward to working in partnership with Victoria’s rehoming groups and animal welfare sector to build upon the Taskforce recommendations and improve welfare and rehoming outcomes for Victoria’s pets.”
