Tips to find your lost pet

Lost animals

If your pet is missing, please go to the Animal Management Centre to look for them. You can also look on our Lost and found animals page for your animal – we display photos of all impounded animals.

It is important to go to the Animal Management Centre to look for your animal because:

  • your animal may have lost its collar and registration tag.
  • we may not be able to read the microchip, or the microchip details may not be up to date.
  • our description of the animal may be different to yours.
  • we may not be able to determine the sex of the animal if it is does not want to be handled.
  • we may impound many animals that look similar to your pet.

We check all animals brought to the Animal Management Centre for a registration tag and a microchip. If your pet can be identified, we make several attempts to contact the owner. We can only do this if your contact details are up to date.

If you are going to the Animal Management Centre to look for your animal or to collect an animal, the following safety rules apply:

  • you must wear enclosed footwear in our animal holding facilities (thongs are not acceptable).
  • only one person can go into the kennel or cattery to identify their animal.
  • children are not able to go into our animal holding facilities for their own safety (please avoid bringing children).
  • please bring a lead for your dog or a suitable cage to transport cats and other animals. If you do not own one of these, they can be purchased for a small fee from the Animal Management Centre.

You can also check with the RSPCA, Animal Welfare League, other local councils or a local vet clinic for your missing animal.

While all efforts are made to identify each animal, we may be unable to confirm if it is your animal from a description and sometimes determining the sex of the pet can be difficult. This is why it is important for you to come in to look for your pet.

We will not be liable for any claim, demand, action, loss or damage of any kind arising from the impounding of your animal at the Animal Management Centre. We do not accept any responsibility for the incorrect description of any animal or matters arising from the use of the information on this site.