Animal pound
Our Animal Pound manages stray, lost and surrendered animals. They also work with animal shelters to rehome animals, and you can visit to adopt a pet.
Find the pound at 90-92 High Street, Melton (entrance located just past the SES building).
Opening hours are between 9am-4.30pm, 7 days a week. Closed public holidays. Make an appointment outside of hours by calling 03 9747 7200 or emailing contact@melton.vic.gov.au
Lost pets
If you have lost a pet, contact Council as soon as possible.
Complete the lost pet form and check the online lost pet register to see your pet is at the pound. The register is updated as animals are received on weekdays, so we encourage you to check back regularly.
Check places you regularly visit, it could be hanging around the park, local shopping centres or schools. If you have moved recently, it may return to your old house.
Check for lost pets
Report a lost pet
Found stray or wandering dogs
If you find a dog, call the Council Ranger on 03 9747 7200.
Our Rangers collect:
- Stray/wandering dogs between 8.15am - 5pm, Monday to Friday
- Our afterhours service collects contained dogs ONLY, between 5pm-10pm, 7 days a week including public holidays.
Surrendering a pet
If you are a resident in the City of Melton and are no longer able to care for your pet/s, you can surrender them to the pound.
Complete the animal surrender request form or contact an animal rescue to help them find a new home.
Note, pets advertised for free or dumped are at risk of going to an unsuitable home.
Animal surrender request
Animals not accepted at the pound (pocket pets)
We don't accept rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, reptiles or caged birds, also known at 'Pocket Pets'.
Find a list of specialist rescue groups that may be able to assist in rehoming or surrendering pocket pets:
Learn why we don't accept pocket pets under section 33A of the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
Adopting a pet
If you would like to adopt a pet, view our animals currently available for adoption.
You can also visit the pound to meet animals looking for new homes.
Find animals for adoption
Impounded pets
Council is required to keep a dog or cat for eight (8) days if it's impounded.
Collecting your pet
If you wish to collect your pet from the pound you will need to:
- register your pet (over the age of three months) with Council
- microchip your pet
- provide proof of ownership
- show identification such as a driver’s license
Animal release costs
| Type |
Fee cost |
| Cat impounded release fee |
$49.20 |
| Dog impounded release fee |
$97.40 |
| Cat daily fee |
$17.50 |
| Dog daily fee |
$20.00 |
| Microchip fee (animals not microchipped) |
$ 95.50 |
| Livestock impounded release fee |
$65.70 (per animal) |
| Livestock daily fee |
$19.40 (per animal) |
A registration fee will also apply if the animal is not registered
Additional fines may be imposed for unregistered animals and animals at large. Animals not wearing Council identification marker outside their property can also risk a penalty under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.