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Statement from RSPCA Victoria CEO, Dr Liz Walker:

RSPCA Victoria is seeking to reduce the time animals must be held in a shelter before they can be rehomed, fostered or transferred to rescue from eight to three days because we know it will improve welfare for Victorian animals across the state.

We know that keeping animals in pounds and shelters longer than necessary is detrimental to their welfare, therefore the aim is to move more pets into foster and adoption faster. Evidence shows that the longer animals are kept in the shelter environment, the more stressed they become and the more likely they are to catch an infectious disease such as kennel cough or cat flu.

RSPCA Victoria’s proposal to reduce the quarantine period from eight days to three is backed by clear evidence and this reform will result in better welfare for the tens of thousands of animals who enter Victorian pounds and shelters every year.

RSPCA Victoria takes in over 14,000 animals a year – a significant percentage of the animals entering shelters and pounds annually. According to our data, it takes an average of just 1.66 days for lost dogs and cats to be reclaimed by their owners. Of the dogs and cats that are reclaimed within the current eight-day mandatory period, 87% are reclaimed within three days.