City advocates for regional animal facility 

The City of Ballarat is taking the lead to secure government funding for a new purpose-built animal facility to enhance the quality of life for the thousands of stray, lost, abandoned and abused animals that require rescuing and care each year. 

The City of Ballarat is currently advocating to the Victorian State Government for a new shelter that will cater to not only Ballarat’s needs, but capacity for neighbouring municipalities. 

Ballarat City Council has committed $200,000 to progress a proposed new fully-compliant regional animal facility to shovel-ready stage at a Council-owned site in Mitchell Park, – a project that would represent the single biggest improvement to animal welfare services in this region in a century. 

The new facility is necessary to relieve chronic overcrowding and poor conditions at the existing Ballarat Animal Shelter. It will have capacity to service the needs of neighbouring municipalities including Hepburn, Golden Plains, Pyrenees, Ararat, Central Goldfields and Hindmarsh Shires. 

Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said most people associated animal shelters as a place where animals are surrendered, reclaimed, or adopted.  

“In reality, the responsibilities and functions are far greater,” he said. 

“Shelter staff offer care for pets displaced by bushfires, floods and other emergency evacuations, and for animals of people fleeing family violence. The shelter is also a holding facility for seized animals where court cases are pending. 

“Specialist training of staff is conducted in areas including aggressive dog handling techniques, and animal behaviour and assessment, to ensure professional animal behaviour management expertise meets both our animal shelter needs and those of the community. 

“We’re experiencing a significant increase in key animal welfare services, placing a strain on both our existing facility and our dedicated staff, who provide this essential regional service from a building that is no longer fit for purpose. 

“We need the State government to recognise the inadequacy of the current facility and the urgency for a compassionate and caring response to animal welfare needs in our region.” 

Almost 14,000 dogs and 8,000 cats were registered with the City of Ballarat last year, equating to approximately 1 in 6 households across the municipality.