Stray Cats & Dogs
Berwick Lost Dogs & Stray Cats
We are committed to uniting lost dogs and cats with their owners. To be able to do this effectively, we rely on the general public to surrender found stray animals to us. The steps we take to reunite owners with their missing animals are:
- Checking collars for council or identification tags.
- Checking our lost and found book.
- Scanning the pet for a microchip. If a microchip is found, we are able to get in contact immediately with the owner.
- Registering the lost pet with the local animal shelter
If the pet has not been claimed, we are legally obliged to surrender the stray animal to a registered animal shelter where it will spend its quarantine period.
If an injured stray animal is presented to the clinic, we make all efforts to ensure the pet is stable and comfortable.
If you find a stray animal and want to keep it if it remains unclaimed, you can leave your contact details so that you will be notified as soon as its quarantine period is complete and is ready to be rehomed.
It is illegal for the public to keep stray animals without going through this process.
If You Have Lost Your Pet
Remain calm
Have a good look around your home and garden. Cats love enclosed spaces and are notorious for hiding in confined places, like the cupboards, drawers, clothes dryer, etc.
Visit the local animal shelters
It is worthwhile visiting the animal shelters. You should give them a thorough description of your pet, including any distinguishing features. A photo may help. You should also have a look at the stray animals they are holding, in case you recognise your pet! You should visit them every second day, in case your pet is brought in. The animal shelters around this area are:
RSPCA Pearcedale – (03) 5978 9000
Keysborough Animal Shelter – (03) 9798 8044
Contact all the local vets
Stray pets can get injured on their adventures, so it is worthwhile contacting the local vet clinics, and leaving a description of your pet with them. Sometimes, members of the public who find stray animals also drop them off at the clinic.
Contact your neighbours
Place notices around your neighbourhood
Place a notice in the newspaper