Mini pens removed from Mildura Pound in animal welfare push

Published on 18 January 2019

Mildura Rural City Council is about to introduce changes to the way animals can be surrendered at the Mildura Pound in a bid to ensure the welfare of surrendered cats and dogs.

At present, residents who wish to surrender a cat or dog outside of opening hours are able to leave them in mini pens at the Mildura Pound.

While this may be more convenient for people, it unfortunately puts these animals at greater risk of harm, particularly during the warmer summer months, or if they’re placed in a mini pen with an existing medical condition.

From 4pm next Friday 25 January 2019, Council will remove these mini pens, meaning people wishing to surrender cats or dogs outside of the Mildura Pound opening hours have two options.

They can either take care of the animal until the Mildura Pound opens again, or in the case of residents who may come across a stray animal outside of opening hours, keep the animal with them and call Council on (03) 5018 8100 and a Council representative will collect them. 

The Mildura Pound is open between 10am and 12pm and 2.30pm and 4pm weekdays and between 8.30am and 9.30am Saturdays.

Councillor for Community Safety Gavin Sedgmen said the move was a difficult decision, but necessary as part of a broader push to improve the welfare of surrendered animals.

“If someone drops off a cat or dog late in the afternoon or in the evening for example, he or she could be left in the mini pen for hours without attention, or exposed to the summer heat,” Cr Sedgmen said.

“And it could be even more serious if the animal needs medical attention.

“By removing these mini pens, we’re ensuring animals to be surrendered are given the attention they deserve – whether it be cared for by residents, or collected by Council staff and given a health check, shelter, food and water.

Cr Sedgmen said removing the mini pens brought Council into line with many other Local Government areas, as well as addressing one of the key recommendations of a recent audit of the Mildura Pound by the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (formerly Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources­).

Media enquiries 
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689 
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au