FRANKSTON and Kingston Councils are expected to maintain their arrangements with their contracted animal shelter, The Lost Dogs’ Home, despite recent criticism of the organisation.
The Lost Dogs’ Home, which provides animal shelter services for multiple councils including Frankston and Kingston, is under fire after it euthanised a young dog after he failed the shelter’s behavioural tests.
Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell has slammed The Lost Dogs’ Home for its decision to put down 12-week-old Murphy, and expressed concern for Murphy’s sister Milly who is currently in foster care. She said in parliament earlier this month that “it is currently not a requirement to document or to even declare any information about these decisions, such as what sort of testing was carried out, what other options were explored and whether an animal was assessed in a foster home or only in a scary pound environment. There is no accountability. There is no transparency.”
According to mandatory reporting data, The Lost Dogs’ Home euthanised 4190 cats in 2024 with behaviour cited as the reason for 971 of them. The Lost Dogs’ Home euthanised 1065 dogs in 2024, 611 for behavioural reasons. The Lost Dogs’ Home has defended its record, saying in a statement it is “one of the largest open-intake shelters in Victoria – this means that unlike limited intake shelters, we do not pick and choose the animals that we help.”
“The Lost Dogs’ Home holds the contract to provide pound services for Frankston Council,” The Lost Dogs’ Home said. “Under that contract we are required to follow the code of practice for the management of dogs and cats in shelters and pounds in providing our pound services.
“Regarding published euthanasia rates, it’s important to note that during the reporting year we cared for 17,741 animals (11,445 cats and 6,296 dogs). Behaviour-related euthanasia accounted for 8.5 percent of cats and 9.7 percent of dogs.
“We are required to categorise the reason that dogs are euthanised in a very detailed way to ensure there are no blanket statements for euthanasia. Almost half those dogs (249) have: bitten a person, been euthanised under council order, attacked or killed an animal, or been declared dangerous.”
Purcell said that the 2024 euthanasia figure “is a staggering and unjustifiable number.” She has called on the state government to investigate “appointing an independent oversight mechanism to approve euthanasia for behavioural reasons by open-intake shelters” and “mandating pounds and shelters to offer all animals set to be euthanised for behavioural reasons to authorised pet rehoming organisations except in instances where an animal has been legally declared dangerous.”
The Lost Dogs’ Home’s decision to euthanise Murphy sparked a wave of backlash; a petition calling for a formal investigation has garnered more than 1000 signatures. The Lost Dogs’ Home says Murphy “was assessed as unsuitable for rehoming due to anti-social behaviour and a high risk of developing aggression. Murphy displayed abnormal behavioural development for a puppy of approximately three months. This is highly unusual and rare.”
“In Murphy’s case, the behavioural risks identified were deemed too significant to safely and responsibly rehome him, whether by making him available for sale or by transferring him to a rescue group. We made this incredibly hard decision based on decades of combined experience rehabilitating thousands of animals, and in accordance with our duty of care and public safety obligations,” The Lost Dogs’ Home said.
“The Lost Dogs’ Home will continue to work to make sure that as many animals as possible can safely find a new and happy forever home. We are so grateful to all our staff, supporters and foster carers who help us do that every day. Most animals who come to the Home will be returned to their owner or rehomed with a new and loving family. Last year we did this for almost 12,000 animals across Melbourne – more than any other organisation.”
In a statement, The Lost Dogs’ Home said that Murphy’s sister Milly is “safe and being well cared for in her behaviour foster carer’s private home.” “We’ve listened to the community’s feedback and understand people want Milly to have more time to grow through her puppyhood. Fortunately, unlike her sibling Murphy, Milly is showing signs that mean she can continue her development journey,” the statement read.
“We also want people to understand that assessments from the LDH behaviour team and external vet behaviour specialists indicate that Milly exhibits poor impulse control and fear-related aggression and arousal. These are concerning behaviours that we are monitoring closely.
“We’re talking to rescue organisations that have capacity to support an intensive behavioural foster carer rehabilitation program. They will continue working closely with the same external veterinary behaviour specialist as LDH. Until we have a clear pathway for Milly, she will remain in the safe care of a behaviour foster carer.”
Frankston and Kingston Councils have each confirmed that they are not reconsidering their current arrangements with The Lost Dogs’ Home.
Speaking on the issue in parliament earlier this month, Labor MP Michael Galea said “it is appropriate for our colleagues in the City of Casey, in the Shire of Cardinia, in the City of Kingston, in the City of Greater Dandenong, and in the City of Frankston, to continue to have those conversations with their partners and for all councils who deal with this important issue to have these conversations with whomever it is that provides these services for them.”
First published in the Mornington News – 28 October 2025
