Pets & Animals
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Vets & Pet Owner Groups

Membership Organisations

Associations such as the Victorian Canine Association and the Feline Control Council of Victoria are membership organisations that have expertise and information on a wide range of pet related issues. The Victorian Canine Association also has a network of obedience clubs around the state. If you're looking to purchase a purebred pet, they can assist you by referring you to breed clubs.

Victorian Canine Association - www.vca.org.au
Royal Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale
Telephone: (03) 9376 2255

Feline Control Council of Victoria - www.hotkey.net.au/~fccvic/index.htm
Royal Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale
Telephone: (03) 9281 7404
 

Breed Clubs

Breed clubs have members who own a specific breed, eg collie dogs or Siamese cats.

These clubs are most often run by a group of volunteers who promote enjoyment and knowledge about a particular breed. Breed clubs refer interested people to breeders within their locality or according to their specific requirements. Ring your local cat or dog association or refer to the Yellow Pages.

There are many organisations and associations in Victoria that can help with further information or specific questions relating to pets.

Refer to the Yellow Pages for contact details for the following organisations. To search the Yellow Pages site, click on the Search icon. On the search form displayed, enter the relevant search term(s) and click on the search button.


Dog Owner Groups

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.
 

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 Port Phillip Business Directory.
 

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.
 

Pet Related Businesses

Port Phillip is lucky enough to have some fantastic pet related businesses in our municipality such as the My Dog Café where you and your pooch can sit down for a latté and a doggy chino and have a chat with friends or 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.

CASPA

CASPA www.caspa.org.au 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.

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.

Also consult the Yellow Pages for details on 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

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: 252 Graham Street, 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/ (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

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.