Pets & Animal Management

Many popular parks have their own unofficial dog owner groups that get together to socialise with their pets. 

These groups can be a great way to get to know people in your area and to allow your dog to socialise and play with other dogs.  The people in these groups take good care of their parks, helping to promote responsible pet ownership.

Some of these groups are advancing into more official groups such as Alma Dog Group at Alma Park in St Kilda East.  Alma Dog Group recently worked with the Animal Management unit to host Port Phillips first Pet Expo in April 2006.  Council is actively encouraging more groups like Alma Dogs to be created as they help to promote responsible pet ownership and encourage community togetherness.

Another park that has quite a social dog group is Gasworks park which is located in Middle Park.  This park is an off-leash park that is used by many dogs for their playtime.  The regulars to Gasworks have become quite an organised group.

Peanut Farm Reserve in St Kilda and Clarke Reserve in Elwood are two more examples of parks that are very popular in their neighbourhoods.  These parks have active groups of regulars that enjoy spending time socialising with their dogs in the parks.

So if you are new to an area or to being a dog owner, talk to people in your neighbourhood about local doggy activities and news. If you are a new visitor to a park, it's a good idea to talk to other park users to see if there is a group of regulars that get together as it is a great way for you and your pooch to make some new friends.

Please also refer to our Obedience Training page for further contacts in Port Phillip. 

Vets

Vets look after the health and physical well being of cats, dogs and other animals. 

This includes treating sick animals, vaccinations, desexing operations, microchipping, provision of worming and flea medication and conducting regular health check-ups. Vets also provide advice on your pet's diet and exercise requirements. Many local vets also run socialisation activities for puppies between the formative 8 - 16 week period.

Australian Veterinary Association - www.ava.com.au
AVA House, 134 Hampden Road, Artarmon NSW 2064
Telephone: (02) 9411 2733

Search for a Local Vet near you in the Yellow Pages.

Welfare Organisations

Organisations such as the Lost Dogs' Home, Cat Protection Society and the RSPCA take in dogs or cats that are lost or have been abandoned and attempt to re-unite them with their owners or re-house them. Animals for sale from animal welfare organisations have passed rigorous health and behavioural tests and will most likely be wormed, desexed and microchipped. Most welfare organisations also have information on caring for your pet.  If you have lost your pet or found a pet, then see our Lost & Found Pets page for helpful tips.

Key Animal Welfare Shelters Include:

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)(Vic) - www.rspcavic.org 
Burwood Highway (corner Middleborough Road)
Burwood East Victoria 3151
Telephone: (03) 9224 2222

Lost Dogs' Home and Cat Shelter
2 Gracie Street, North Melbourne
Telephone (03) 9329 2755
Lost & Found - 24 hour service (03) 9329 9493
After-hours emergency ambulance  (03) 9625 5000 Pager #35945
Fax: (03) 9326 5293
Website:  www.lostdogs.com.au - You can check for lost or found animals, and submit your lost or found animals, as well as get free identification tags to help with returning your animals.

Cat Protection Society
200 Elder Street, Greensborough
Telephone (03) 9434 7155

ANZFAS (Australian and New Zealand Federation of Animal Shelters) - Animals Australia - www.animalsaustralia.org
37 O'Connell Street, North Melbourne
Telephone (03)  9329 6333

Pet Shops

Registration with the local council means that pet shops have to follow certain regulations which protect the consumer and your pet's welfare. Every pet sold must come with a certificate of good health, which guarantees it has been vaccinated and wormed. Consumers have a three day cooling off period, and if the pet dies within 7 days of purchase and the disease is traced to pet shop, then the pet must be replaced. By always purchasing from a registered pet shop, consumers will not only get a healthy pet, but will also be protected.

Search for a local Pet Shop near you in the Yellow Pages.

Kennels and Catteries

Kennels and catteries provide accommodation for pets when their owners are away on holidays. Many of these require pets' vaccinations to be up-to-date. Make sure the kennel or cattery at which you leave your four legged friend is registered with the local Council, as this means they have to follow certain regulations which protects both you as a consumer and the welfare of your pet. 

Search for a local pet minding service near you in the Yellow Pages.

Pet Related Businesses

Are you purchasing a new pet?

When purchasing a pet it is important to take into consideration such things as:

1. The room you have available:
   • What size yard do you have?
   • Is the animal going to live indoors or outdoors?
   • Do you live in a house or a flat/unit?
2. How much free time do you have to spend with your pet?
3. Do you want an active or passive animal to suit your lifestyle?

These questions and many more should be thought about before choosing a pet to suit your lifestyle.

Some sites that provide helpful hints for choosing a pet for you are as follows:

SelectaPet - http://www.petnet.com.au/
Choose the right pet that best suits your lifestyle.
Ph: 1800 331 784

Petalia - http://www.petalia.com.au/

My Pets - http://www.mypets.net.au/

Books Illustrated
Port Phillip is lucky enough to have some fantastic pet related businesses in our municipality such as Books Illustrated where you can discover the world of illustrated books, specialising in Australian children's books including many books for children about our beloved pets.
Telephone: (03) 9696 0947
Website:  http://www.booksillustrated.com.au/

CASPA
CASPA is an umbrella organisation for businesses in the dog walking and animal minding sector.  They aim to improve the standard of care provided by these businesses and to encourage responsible pet ownership in the community.
Website:  www.caspa.org.au

Diggidy Doggy Daycare
diggiddydoggydaycare is an award winning luxury indoor dog daycare centre. The Centre manages dog activities, exercise programs, grooming, and of course, plenty of love and attention throughout every weekday.
209 Ferrars St, South Melbourne
Telephone: (03) 9682 7297
Email: play@digdog.com.au
Website: http://www.diggiddydoggy.com.au/index.html

Sophisticat Resort
At Sophisticat, Melbourne's premium cat boarding resort, they provide much more than a cattery experience. They are committed to ensuring your peace of mind by providing their feline guests with a special holiday experience in a safe, secure and relaxed environment with caring staff who cater to their every need.
18 Nelson Street, Moorabbin (Melway Ref: 78 B8)
Telephone:  (03) 9555 1986
Email: enquiries@sophisticat.com.au
Website:  http://www.sophisticat.com.au/index.php

Wagging Tales Dog Walking
Wagging Tales Dog Walking offer pet minding & daily home visits.
Contact Adam on 0411 160 586 for further details

Dog Tree
dogtree.com.au is a free service that encourages responsible dog ownership by connecting dog owners in their own community.

Also consult the Yellow Pages for details on other vets and pet shops in your local area, animal clinics and shelters, dog training organisations and grooming, pet minding and walking, and pet transport services. 

More Information

Responsible Pet Ownership - www.pets.info.vic.gov.au
A state government site with useful information about your rights and responsibilities both to your pet and to your neighbours.

SelectaPet - www.petnet.com.au
Choose the right pet that best suits your lifestyle
Telephone 1800 331 784

Pets in the City
Everything you need to know about successfully keeping dogs and cats in apartments & inner-urban areas.
Website:  http://www.petsinthecity.net.au/

Pet Links
Petlinks is a local community program of volunteers who support frail, older people, those with a disability, or severe illness, with looking after their pets at home. Services provided include:

• Walking dogs
• Transporting pets and their owners to vets
• Transporting pets for grooming
• Giving medication when necessary
• Caring for pets whilst the owner is in hospital

Address: Level 1, Cnr Liardet & Nott Streets, Port Melbourne 3207
Postal address: P.O. Box 199, Port Melbourne, 3207
Telephone: (03) 9646 9186
Fax: 9646 6606
Email: petlinks@hotkey.net.au
(Operating hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm)

Bureau of Animal Welfare - http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/nrenfa.nsf/childdocs/-180715ADC627966E4A256B750004BDD5-6166E48F26CF64DACA256EDD0082EDF1%3Fopen%23baw (search for Bureau of Animal Welfare)
Department of Primary Industries
240 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne
Telephone: (03) 9412 4639

OzPets - www.ozpets.com.au
OzPets is an all Australian Pet Portal dedicated solely to Australian pets and pet related web sites.  Includes health issues, helpful articles, breed search and more.

Central Animal Records (Aust.) Pty Ltd  - www.car.com.au
Central Animal Records is a pet microchipping registry within Australia.  It is important to update your pets microchip details if you relocate to another address, to assist with the return of a lost/injured pet. 
22 Fiveways Boulevard, Keysborough 
Telephone: (03) 9706 3187

National Pet Register
The National Pet Register provides an Australia-wide pet identification and recovery service. It is important to update your pets microchip details if you relocate to another address, to assist with the return of a lost/injured pet.
2 Gracie St, North Melbourne VIC 3051
Telephone: 1300 734 738
www.petregister.com.au/

Ozdoggy - www.ozdoggy.com.au
A useful website for pet related information & advice.

Contact Council

Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Animal Management.