VIC Reuniting lost pets reforms

The Domestic Animals Amendment (Reuniting Pets and Other Matters) Act 2022 (RP Act) introduced a range of changes to the Domestic Animals Act 1994 (DA Act). These changes reform the process for reuniting lost pets with their owners.

From 1 October 2022, participating vets and registered animal shelters will be able to directly reunite lost cats and dogs (pets) without the need for a council agreement under section 84Y of the DA Act.

The reforms do not replace existing section 84Y agreements, and do not apply to vets holding existing 84Y agreements with relevant councils. Vets can also continue to enter into written agreements with councils if they wish.

Providing reunification services is voluntary for vets. If vets are unable, or do not wish to accept a lost pet, members of the public can be referred to other participating vets, shelters, or their local council.

If vets choose to reunite lost pets under these reforms (i.e. without an 84Y agreement), they:

• May request a nominal fee for reunification services, however cannot compel payment or make reunification contingent on payment of this fee.
• Must report quarterly to council on the cats and dogs reunited in a given reporting period.

Reports must include:

• Phone number of the person handing in the lost pet (if known)
• Date and time the animal was handed in
• Suburb or municipality where the pet was found (if known)
• Species, i.e., cat or dog
• Pet’s microchip number or council registration tag number and council name (if microchip can’t be located)
• Owner’s name, residential address and telephone number
• Agent’s name and phone number (if the owner has delegated an agent to collect the pet)
• Time the pet was collected.

Central Animal Records has developed an online, real-time, record keeping and reporting option that vets may use, removing the need to remember to report quarterly. Further information on this and other record keeping and reporting options is available in the guidance document linked below.

To support the RP Act, amendments were also made to the Domestic Animals Regulations 2015, including a number of administrative improvements. From 1 October 2022, a Community Foster Care Network or cat or dog owner can include their own source number when presenting an animal for microchip implantation. This change will account for people that have found or been given a pet, or instances when the previous breeder or owner cannot be identified. Animal Welfare Victoria (AWV) has developed a guidance kit with optional record keeping templates, to assist vets wishing to reunite lost pets without an 84Y agreement.

Further details on the reforms can be accessed via AWV's website. If you have any questions or require any further information on the reforms, please email the Domestic Animals Policy team at pet.welfare@agriculture.vic.gov.au.