THE number of dogs put down after being impounded in the City of Wanneroo has halved since 2015.
Community and Place director Debbie Terelinck said of the 850 dogs impounded in 2017, 31 were put down, compared to 65 of the 946 impounded in 2015 and 53 of the 1211 impounded in 2016.
“The City has introduced a range of initiatives to increase the re-homing of dogs which is reflected in the significant year on year decline of dogs being (put down),” she said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWThe City re-homed 118 dogs last year, 156 in 2016 and 179 in 2015.
Over the same period, the number of cats impounded has increased from 159 in 2015 with 148 of those re-homed, to 198 in 2016 (179 re-homed) and 211 in 2017 (198 re-homed).
“Most of the cats go to Cat Haven to be re-homed with only a handful returned to their owners,” Mrs Terelinck said.
“This is due to a lack of identification in the form of a City of Wanneroo cat registration, microchip or collar and on many occasions cats are not claimed by their owners.”
Councillor Dot Newton advocates for re-homing surrendered or impounded dogs and rescued her Jack Russell, Harley, from the City’s animal care centre 13 years ago.
“The City’s lost animals service helps reunite owners with lost pets and allows people to find animals to adopt,” she said.
Cr Newton said the number of dogs put down in the City decreased by 50 per cent in 2017 compared to 2015 as a result of initiatives such as posting images and details of the animals online and more accessible, subsidised pet registration options.
“Posting the images online and utilising social media makes it much easier for our residents to check and see if their dog or cat has been impounded,” she said.
“Driving to Ashby from Yanchep, Two Rocks, Koondoola or Girrawheen isn’t as quick and easy as visiting a website to confirm whether it’s your pet.
“The City has also introduced online registration for cats and dogs, making it much easier and more convenient to make sure pets are registered with the City.
“If a pet is found by one of our rangers and is wearing a current council registration tag, the City of Wanneroo will get in touch with the owner.
“Micro-chipping will also ensure the owner can be contacted if a pet escapes by slipping its collar.
“The City’s animal centre has a great reputation and people who are looking to adopt a dog regularly check in to see what dogs are available.” For more information or to register pets, visit www.wanneroo.wa.gov.au/animals.
MORE: Prison guard assaulted at Hakea Prison in Canning Vale
MORE: $27m carpark expansion at St John of God Subiaco Hospital approved