The Andrews Labor Government will reform the pet rehoming sector to ensure even more of Victoria’s pets find a loving forever home.

Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas visited Lort Smith Animal Hospital in North Melbourne to announce the Government’s response to the Taskforce on Rehoming Pets (the Taskforce) report.

The Taskforce made 17 recommendations to improve the rehoming of dogs and cats in Victoria, including those used in medical research. All recommendations are supported by the Victorian Government.

Unlike shelters and pounds, the rehoming sector is not currently required to meet specific standards of care or operation.

The Taskforce recommended regulating the rehoming sector to establish consistent standards of care and operation and improving transparency in the movement of animals between shelters, pounds and rescue groups.

As part of implementation activities, the Labor Government will improve collaboration and information‑sharing between shelters, council pounds and rehoming groups.

The Government will also consider better support for rehoming for dogs and cats used in research and undertake a review of the use of euthanasia for animals with treatable or manageable health conditions.

The Victorian Budget 2022/23 invests a record $18.6 million in animal welfare initiatives, including for the implementation of Taskforce recommendations. Government will work in partnership with the pet rehoming and animal welfare sectors to deliver this important work.

The Government’s response to the Taskforce report can be found online at agriculture.vic.gov.au.