The Mount Gambier City Council has come under fire for the conditions of its temporary pound facility.


Residents have taken to social media to criticise the facility, which is used to house dogs during the 72 hour hold period while the general inspectorate team attempt to find the owner of a lost dog that is not microchipped or registered.


Council chief executive Sarah Philpott said council was aware of the commentary circulating in the community.


“We appreciate that people are concerned about the welfare of the dogs in our care during warmer weather,” she said.


“We want to assure the community that we keep the dogs as safe and comfortable as possible until we can reunite them with their owner or transfer them to one of our partner organisations for rehoming.


“During warmer weather we have been visiting the kennel frequently to ensure dogs have access to food and water.


“We also monitor the temperature inside the kennel and if required, hose down the floor, and the dog and enable outside access within the enclosure.


“No dogs are currently being housed in council’s pound facility.


“When there are no animals impounded, water, food and other animal husbandry requirements are removed and refreshed when a new dog arrives.


“The dog that was posted on social media barking while at the kennel has been returned home to its very grateful owner who claims it barks a lot due to separation anxiety.”


Ms Philpott said council’s facilities have been approved by the Dog and Cat Management Board in accordance with the Dog and Cat Management Act to hold up to four dogs at any one time for 72 hours and beyond.


“Council’s facilities were constructed in accordance the Dog and Cat Management Board Detention Facility Guidelines which outline that dog pens must be fully enclosed and constructed from impervious, washable and durable materials,” she said.


“Impervious partitions must be at least one metre high, sealed to the ground and should separate the pens and exercise areas.”


“While we appreciate suggestions to consider other materials that may enhance the comfort of dogs in care, floors must be constructed of impervious materials that are free of cracks or small gaps that potentially harbour infectious bacteria.


“Grassed areas do not meet these requirements as council pounds may receive animals that are not vaccinated or may be carrying infection or disease and there needs to be effective housing and hygiene protocols in place to prevent the spread of disease to other dogs held in the facility.


“Grassed areas are often used for the physical enrichment and exercise of dogs outside the 72-hour mandatory holding period where an animal pound or shelter holds animals for the purposes of rehabilitation and rehoming.”


Ms Philpott said since July 2023,188 stray dogs have been collected by council inspectors, 176 dogs have been returned to their owners and 12 dogs have been impounded.


Six dogs have been transferred to partner organisations for rehoming and six were fostered.


Ms Philpott said a few residents had contacted council “worried that a dog was in distress due to heat in council’s kennel”.


“During warmer days we have been visiting the kennel regularly to ensure dogs have adequate access to food and fresh water. We also monitor the temperature inside the kennel and if required, hose down the floor, and the dog and enable outside access within a separate enclosure,” she said.


“The dog that was posted on social media barking while at the kennel has been returned home to its very grateful owner who claims it barks a lot due to separation anxiety.


“Council officers were able to reunite the dog the same day it was impounded and therefore did not have to hold the dog in our facility for long, with the dog returning home by the afternoon.


“Council will continue to explore ideas that maintain its compliance with the Dog and Cat Management Board guidelines and cater for the welfare of impounded animals and a safe environment for staff as outlined in our Dog and Cat Management Plan. i.e. use of small plastic pools during hot weather to help dogs to cool down.”


Ms Philpott said last month 36 dogs were collected by council and 35 were returned to owner.


“One dog was impounded and went to Wet Noses Animal Rescue as it was not reclaimed by an owner,” she said.


“Council continues to explore various options for rehoming services.


The current list of options includes volunteer-run animal rescue organisations that utilise foster carers to care for the animals until they are ready for adoption, as well as other local councils that have established rehoming programs.


“To effectively manage the capacity of these different organisations, council has multiple agreements.


“Doing this helps address situations where these organisations reach their full capacity and are unable to accommodate any more animals.


“Additionally, council is exploring the possibility of rehoming some dogs internally, within its own facilities.”


For further information about council’s animal pound and rehoming services view the FAQ here.