Adoption lists at some Melbourne animal shelters are growing as some pet owners are dumping their pets before taking family trips in order to avoid paying for short-term accommodation.

Some pet owners leave the door of their houses open so the dog will escape and then be kept in shelters over the summer holidays instead of booking them into boarding kennels and catteries.

“Quite often people go overseas for Christmas holidays and because it costs so much for kennels, they would prefer to get rid of them,” Australian Animal Protection Society vice-president Sue Thompson said.

She said that some owners try to re-adopt their pets after coming back from the holiday. A minority even attempted to get back their pet after returning from the holiday.

“They ring when they are back from holidays and ask if they can adopt their own pet back. We would never allow that,” Ms Thompson said.

She said boarding kennels and catteries “may be expensive, but they should be included in the Christmas plan”.

“They are safe. Some people leave a huge bag of food and what they think is enough water in the backyard for their dog, but it can end up nasty.

“A lot of people will do the same thing with cats, leaving them inside, but over summer it can get too hot.”

Fae Pawley from the Lost Dogs Home said the number of animals surrendered to its North Melbourne shelter has been increased. 

“We will always take animals at this time of year,” she said. We are overloaded … with cats and kittens because people don’t desex their cats.”

She said people surrendering their pets was “definitely a trend coming up to the holidays. We do receive an influx of dogs as people are having events at this time of year, with gates and doors being left open,” 

“Occasionally, people let their dogs out knowing they will be picked by the council.  They let them out on purpose because they don’t want to pay for the boarding fees.”

 

 

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