THE number of animals being adopted from Mornington Peninsula Shire’s pound in Watt Road, Mornington has remained steady so far during COVID-19 pandemic.
“They are about the same as they were prior to social distancing,” the shire’s environment protection manager John Rankine said.
The number of animals being impounded was decreasing.
The compatibility of pets and prospective owners is of primary concern to staff at the pound, who list animal profiles online with descriptions of their personalities and photographs. Interested applicants inquire online and staff send out an adoption form.
Mr Rankine said the shelter team judged an applicant’s suitability from a practical, long-term perspective, including their preferences for a pet and whether they could offer a suitable home environment and lifestyle. This includes being able to exercise and walk a younger, more energetic dog, every day, undertake appropriate training and generally care for the dog.
Staff check on whether they have a reasonably sized backyard, or, if in a rental property, if they had the landlord’s permission to keep a dog?
For cats, staff assess whether the new owners are able to care for it, provide veterinary care and are able to contain the cat within the property.
First published in the Mornington News – 28 April 2020
