City of Stonnington councillors to decide fate of Save-A-Dog Scheme

An animal welfare group that has operated the Stonnington pound for 30 years is set to be dumped, sparking backlash from angry ratepayers.

Residents are concerned about the move to dump the Save-A-Dog Scheme. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Angry ratepayers claim they have been blindsided by a proposal to dump a beloved “no-kill” animal shelter.

On Monday night councillors from the City of Stonnington in inner Melbourne will vote to move on from the non-for-profit animal welfare group Save-A-Dog Scheme, which has operated the Stonnington pound for 30 years.

SADS promotes itself as operating under a strict “no-kill” philosophy – which has no legal definition – with the ­organisation designed to protect unwanted animals from being euthanised.

But now, a push from Stonnington CEO Dale Dickson and planning director Annaliese Battista would see SADS replaced by The Lost Dogs Home from June this year.

Angry ratepayers claim they have been blindsided by the proposal. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The proposal has been met with fierce opposition from residents, who have drafted hundreds of emails to councillors and gathered 3300 names on a petition opposing the move.

Stonnington resident Jane Willox said locals were upset at what she described as the council’s blatant disregard for the community’s input on the decision. “All we are asking for is some sort of middle ground, a level of sensibility and some understanding of who the council represents.”

Supporter Warwick Bennett said: “Working at SADS, dogs would come in and they’ve been abandoned, but they make good companions if you take that moment to foster them … they all turn out to be marvellous dogs.”

Kerrie Nasser said: “We like to support SADS because they have a ‘no-kill’ philosophy and it’s something that our community is really proud of.”

In a council meeting agenda in April, the council conceded transitioning away from “a strict ‘no-kill’ policy may ­attract concern” from within the community.

Despite this, the council­ ­decided: “There is no requirement for community consultation.”

In a memo shared with councillors, Mr Dickson indicated the primary reason behind dumping SADS was to save the council money.

A petition to stop the move attracted 3300 names. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

SADS founder Pam Weaver OAM wrote to council in January to state she would not reapply for the animal management services contract.

According to Mr Dickson, SADS cost the council $232,000 per year, which would reduce to $170,000 under new management.

Ms Willox said residents in support of SADS were open to the idea of the council increasing pet registration to cover the shortfall needed to keep the Save-A-Dog Scheme.

“We are not unreasonable, but at all costs we want to protect the lives of dogs that can’t protect themselves,” she said.

Founder of Pet Medical Crisis Jennifer Hunt said Save-A-Dog Scheme was a “shining light” and a “beacon to others in how a shelter can be run” after she got her border collie Jed from SADS.

“The most vulnerable people and pets in our communities deserve the benefit and benevolence of the people in the world who can protect them,” Ms Hunt said.

Mr Dickson recognised and thanked SADS and Ms Weaver OAM for their longstanding commitment to animal welfare in Stonnington.

“Regardless of the outcome of the tender process, council remains open to working with SADS in a new capacity to continue supporting rescue and rehoming outcomes in Stonnington as part of a contemporary model,” he said.

In response to the council decision on Monday, a Lost Dogs Home spokesman said it was aware of the community support for SADS, adding that it was invited by Stonnington to apply for the animal management services contract.

Across Victoria, 16 councils have already contracted the Lost Dogs Home to run their local animal shelters and pounds.

Of these 16, the City of Melbourne council declared the highest spend on animal management – to the tune of $1.1m in total – however, did not ­declare how much of the spend was allocated to the Lost Dogs Home.

Macedon Council was also one of just two councils to declare how much of that spend went towards the Lost Dogs Home or pound management.

The Macedon Council annual report from the 2023-24 financial year showed a $990,000 allocation to the Lost Dogs Home.

The City of Yarra’s annual report for the same period showed a $737,000 spend on pound management.

Originally published as City of Stonnington councillors to decide fate of Save-A-Dog Scheme