Found a Stray Animal?

Important Information About Stray Animals & Veterinary Clinics

Firstly, thank you for caring enough to help an animal in need. We understand that finding a stray, lost, or injured animal can be stressful and emotional.

Many people assume veterinary clinics are responsible for taking in stray animals; however, under Australian law, the management of stray animals is primarily the responsibility of the local council and council animal management services.

What Is a Vet Clinic’s Responsibility?

Veterinary clinics have a legal and ethical obligation to provide emergency first aid or pain relief to injured animals presented to them in order to prevent unnecessary suffering.

However, veterinary clinics are not legally required to accept healthy stray animals into their care.

At Mount Hutton Pet Hospital we will happily scan a lost animal for a microchip and if they have one search both our own system and the local pet registry to attempt to make contact with their owners.

If they are clients of our clinic, we are able to hold the pet until the owner or a nominated person is able to collect the pet.

However, if they are not clients of our clinic, or we are unable to contact the person nominated as the contact on the microchip, or the animal does not have a microchip, unfortunately we are unable to hold onto the animal due to very limited kennel and cage space.

It then becomes the responsibility of the finder to contact the local council to organise either a council ranger to collect the animal from them or they need to organise with a council ranger to drop the animal to the local council animal management facility.

Who to call:

Lake Macquarie City Council: 02 4921 0333

Newcastle City Council: 02 4974 2000

RSPCA: 02 4939 1555